Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello has reiterated his stand not to engage in any negotiation with criminals, noting that such stand was a key ingredient in the state’s fight against insecurity
The governor made this known on Wednesday while responding to questions on security in the North-central region on Channels TV, Sunrise Daily programme.
Governor Bello gave an instance of a particular amnesty offered to a renowned bandit group in Nassarawa state after a particular top politician assured of the genuineness of the group’s repentance, adding that the group unfortunately reneged on their promise, and are currently wreaking havoc in communities within that region.
He pointed out that strong political will was required to tackle security challenges of any type, and the steps his administration took in a state bedeviled with security challenges was to deal ruthlessly with crime perpetrators and their sponsors.
Governor Bello added that security was not only the responsibility of the Nigerian Army, the police and other security operatives but community ownership must also be instilled to facilitate trust and active participation of the people in their own security and safety, particularly intelligence sharing.
He alluded that the resolution of the North-central Governor to establish military barracks was in a bid to further strengthen the existing effective security architecture in the region; adding that such barracks would be a designated training location for the military operatives where also Special Forces could be easily deployed for operations.
The governor stated that it was a common practice by politicians who aspire for political offices to engage the services of thugs to help intimidate their opposition adding that when the political season was over these people were often abandoned by their employers.
