The Director General, Media and Publicity to the Governor of Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo has urged citizens of the state to collaborate with government in its bid to ensure a safer Kogi State.

The Governor’s spokesman stated this in the aftermath of a condolence visit to the families of kidnapped victims in Mopamuro Local Government Area of the state. One of the victims died in the hands of the kidnappers and her remains buried during the weekend.

Fanwo said the incident is “gruesome and unacceptable to the civilized world”, assuring the people of the state of the Governor’s “renewed vigour against criminals in the state”.

“Today, the Governor sent a high-powered delegation to commiserate with the family of the deceased victim and the two others who were rescued alive.

The delegation of the Governor which was led by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Bolanle Ampitan has conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the Governor and the Government of Kogi State to the bereaved family.

“More than ever, the Kogi State Government will intensify efforts aimed at ensuring safety for all Kogites. The Governor has reiterated his stance against crimes and criminality in the state and his readiness to make life miserable for criminals who are capitalizing on the location of the state to wreck havocs.

“Despite spending hundreds of millions of naira to fortify the security apparatus in the state, government will continue to make security a top priority in the state. The recent efforts are aimed at scaring away investors but we have quickly taken charge of the situation as we assure all Kogites and potential investors that Kogi will remain a safe haven for investment opportunities.

“We also wish to call on the citizens of our dear state to work with security operatives in tracking down the antisocial elements in our society who are bent on waging crime on our people. Criminals live among us and buy their food and other means of survival from our traders.

To guarantee security, all Kogites must bond together to report crime, apprehend criminals and ask questions about suspicious movements”.

Fanwo said a new Kogi State is fast unfolding under the New Direction Agenda, urging the people to keep faith with the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello.

“We are seeing a new Kogi State. We are witnessing a glut of construction activities across the state and we are turning our cities to what they should look like. The present administration is poised to reposition the state and build on the giant strides recorded within our first year in office.

“We shall not be defined by the few criminals among us whose days are already numbered; but by the richness of our land, the treasure of our mineral resources and the resourcefulness of our hearts which are toiling to build a great state and make us the Confluence of Super Excellence. Governor Yahaya Bello will make Kogi the epicenter of development”.