By Boluwaji Obahopo

LOKOJA—Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has declared war on kidnappers, expressing his resolve to defeat the menace of crime and abduction in the state.

The governor stated this yesterday in Lokoja, following the arrest of 30 suspected kidnappers by men of Operation Total Freedom last week.

Gov. Yahaya-Bello

Bello, in a statement by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, said his massive investment in security of lives and property in the state was beginning to yield desired results.

He said: “Governor Yahaya Bello has never minced words over his determination to defeat criminality in the state, especially kidnapping.

“On assumption of office, the governor met a terrible security situation in the state. Robbery incidents and kidnapping were high on the list as Kogi became a dungeon of criminality.

“Given his nature, Governor Yahaya Bello took the challenge of securing the people who elected him at such a critical time as this.

‘’He changed the security architecture of his administration and harped more on improving the numerical and technological strength of the security agencies.

“The governor also provided new Ford vans to security agencies and launched a security outfit for the state, made up of all security agencies, code-named Operation Total Freedom.”

“Ever since, the security story of the state has changed. The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, retd, has brought his experience to bear, harping more on intelligence gathering and proactive steps to ensure the preventive mode of operation.

“The governor wishes to assure all Kogites that their lives and property are safe as the state will continue to secure people’s lives and investments across the state. He also urges prospective investors not to be dissuaded from investing in the state”.

The statement added that the governor needed the cooperation of all Kogites.

“Security is the business of all, from intelligence gathering, to enable security agents apprehend offenders, to ensuring the success of arrest operations,” he said.

He also said those who shield criminals will be treated as criminals, urging the people to report suspects in their neighborhood to security agencies.

He said:  “Those who shield criminals are abetting crimes. Actions will, henceforth, be taken against homes where criminals are accommodated.

‘’Landlords must know the kind of people they accommodate because the governor has declared war on criminals in the state.”

The statement further urged youths in the state to key into the development programmes of the state government and shun criminality.