Set to be unveiled on Friday by Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, are new security vehicles that will significantly enhance the efficiency of community policing across all local government areas in the state.
A statement released by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, underlined the objective of distributing this new fleet of security vehicles to the 21 local government areas, which is to reinforce the initiatives of community policing spearheaded by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo through the Kogi State vigilante service.
Furthermore, the statement emphasized that the introduction of these vehicles forms part of a broader strategy to establish a new framework for community policing within the security architecture of Kogi State.
In another development, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo commended the recent crackdown by security agencies in Kogi East on criminal activities in that region.
He specifically lauded the efforts of John Urah Ikani, the caretaker chairman of Dekina Local Government Area, for the apprehension of a gang of kidnappers who were reportedly lured to Ochaja from a Northwestern state by a notorious kidnap kingpin who remains at large.
According to the statement, the suspected kidnappers, who have been cooperating with security agencies by providing vital information, were captured by members of the vigilante group during a routine patrol around the Ochaja area. They have since confessed to working for the infamous kidnapping kingpin, known for terrorizing communities between Dekina and Ankpa local government areas.
Encouraging all caretaker chairmen of local government areas in the state to prioritize the safety of lives and properties within their jurisdictions, Governor Ododo stressed the importance of preventing crimes rather than just responding after they occur.
Assuring continuous government support, the governor pledged to ensure the security of lives and properties in all corners of Kogi State.