Kogi state Government has assured the people of the state that it will not relent on its oars to rid the state of criminal activities in order to continually make the state a safe environment for the citizens.
The Commissioner for information and communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, gave the assurance on Monday while addressing journalists in Lokoja on the effort of the state government in providing adequate security of life and property ahead of the 2023 Governorship election in the state.
According to him, the state government can not come this far taming terrorists for the past 90 months only to lose it to the garrulous crime-sponsors defending a criminal.
He called on security agencies to invite the actors inciting violence for thorough investigation, saying they must be held to account for their claims.
“The recent happening at Ejule was a necessary stitch-in-time led by security agents in the state to rid our state of criminality. For the upteenth time, we reiterate our endorsement of the operation that has brought down insecurity in that area by over 40 percent.
“The late Kabir Bala popularly known as Okwo was a terror in the East, kidnapping and raping young women and housewives and terrorizing the entire Kogi East. Motorists traversing the state were subjected to “Okwo levy” to the embarrassment of the state, among other acts of extreme intimidation and criminality.
“According to the report by the security agencies, they engaged his gang at this point and he was neutralised in the process. A person who attempts to evade lawful arrest and even attempts to kill security agents can no longer hold on to such rights. His killing couldn’t be termed extra-judicial by any standard.
“The question you need to ask the SDP fans of the late Kabir Bala is: What is their interest in the criminal enterprise of the late crime-lord? Was there a pact between them and the late notorious leader to assassinate members of other parties? We are patiently waiting for the Law Enforcement agents to unravel the mystery by inviting those making unguarded, reckless statements without minding the opprobrium of being associated with a serial killer” he said.
The Commissioner assured that government would do everything within the curve of law to guarantee a peaceful poll in November, 2023 governorship election in the state, stressing that It is the responsibility government to create a conducive atmosphere for all to vote any party of their choice.
