Kogi State Govt Discovers Large Cache of Illicit Arms.
.......Vows to Crush Criminals.
Kogi State Govt Discovers Large Cache of Illicit Arms.
………Vows to Crush Criminals.
Emmanuel lkpeama
The Kogi State Government has announced the recovery of a massive cache of arms and ammunition from criminal hideouts, vowing to intensify efforts to combat insecurity in the state.
Governor Alhaji Usman Ododo disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Lokoja, stating that the operation was carried out by security agencies in coordination with the state government.
According to the Governor,the recovered arms include 24 AK-47 rifles, 23 pump-action rifles, one Tavor rifle, one FN rifle, four Barrett pistols, four Browning rifles, 42 magazines, 520 rounds of GPMG 7.62 ammunition, as well as large quantities of AK-47 ammunition and cartridges for pump-action and Barrett pistols,noting that the renewed and aggressive crackdown on criminal elements was further galvanized after his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who charged him to intensify security efforts rather than seek accolades.
“When I met Mr. President, I expected commendation, but he told me to go back and do more for my people. That statement re-energised me,” the governor said.
“We immediately regrouped, met with the security agencies, harmonised our strategies, and acted decisively on credible intelligence.”
Ododo noted that security operatives executed a coordinated overnight operation that uncovered a major criminal enclave where a significant stockpile of weapons was concealed.
Although no arrests were made during the raid, Governor Ododo described the recovery of the arms as a major and strategic breakthrough in the fight against crime.
He attributed the success to the joint effort of security agencies and credible intelligence, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and motivation, expressing his deep appreciation to the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their steadfast cooperation.
“Kogi State is fully alert. The DSS, the police, the military, the navy, and all other security agencies are working relentlessly, day and night,” he declared.
“We’ll never bow to criminals, and we’ll never negotiate with them.”
He urged residents to provide timely and accurate information to security agencies and assured them of the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, appealing to the citizens not to panic and assuring them that the situation is under control and advising residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear.
