NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ahmed Ododo, has stated that the influx of terrorists from the North East and North West is exacerbating insecurity in the North Central region, including his own state.
Ododo made these comments to reporters following a meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) chaired by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Friday in Abuja.
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The Nigerian military has been actively combating terrorists in the North East and North West regions.
Recent reports have suggested that some terrorists have escaped from these areas due to military airstrikes.
Governor Ododo’s statement comes just two days after President Bola Tinubu visited Benue State to express condolences to the residents of the state following the tragic killings in Yelwataon June 13.
Answering a question on the security situation in Kogi, the governor said, “The recent influx of criminals, I call them criminals, because a normal human being cannot stay in the forest. The influx of these criminals is the result of the pushback from the North East and North West.”
Ododo, however, said many of those who attacked communities in Kogi State were killed, stressing that the government was committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens of the state.
“Security issues or strategy is not something to discuss in public. But I can tell you, we are dealing with them decisively. They are hearing it. We don’t make noise.
“They always come in their numbers, but they go in their zeros. They will come with their hand set ringing, but as soon as they step their leg in Kogi State, that number will never be available. We are dealing with them.
“We are very comfortable. We have signed to protect the lives and livelihoods of our people. And as such, that is what we are doing in Kogi State. So be rest assured that in terms of security, we are there,” the North-Central state governor stated.