From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, has boasted that his administration has crushed and subdued all the security threats tormenting the state.
He made the disclosure when he paid a thank you visit to the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
Promising that nothing will come between his enviable intimate relationships with his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, Governor Ododo said that he would be a bastard to fight his godfather, the hand that made him what he is today.
On the issue of insecurity, Governor Ododo said: “I want to let us know that Kogi borders 10 states, including FCT. Bordering these numerous states, Kogi definitely, will experience one form of insecurity or the other. But what we are facing today in Kogi State and the country in general, is something we can all join hands to bring down.
“We have a lot of mineral deposits. We have over 32 mineral deposits in commercial quantity, but it has never worked for our dear states. We have land, arable land that is good for any kind of crops, but it has never been put to use.
“This is part of those things that constitute insecurity. And recently, the influx of criminals, I call them criminals, because a normal human being cannot stay in the forest, is as the result of the pushback from the North-East and North-West.
“Security issues or security strategies are not discussed in the public. But I can tell you that Kogi State is not a fertile land. It is not a free destination for them to come and trade. We are dealing with them decisively. They are hearing it. We don’t make noise.”