By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo will on Friday unveil new set of security vehicles to enhance efficiency of community policing in all local government areas in the state.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, noted that the new set of security vehicles to be distributed to all the 21 local government areas in the state is aimed at boosting community policing initiative of the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo through the Kogi state vigilante service.
The statement added that the new set of vehicles is also part of measures to lay the foundation for a new template for community policing as part of the security architecture in Kogi State.
Meanwhile, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has commended recent onslaught by security agencies in Kogi East against criminals operating in the area.
The governor praised the efforts of the caretaker chairman of Dekina local government, Honourable John Urah Ikani over the arrest of a gang of kidnappers who were allegedly invited to Ochaja from a state in the North West by kidnap kingpin who has been at large.
The suspected kidnappers who have been assisting security agencies with useful information, the statement noted, were arrested by members of the vigilante group around Ochaja area while on routine patrol and they have since confessed to be working for the notorious kidnap kingpin who is said to have been terrorizing victims in communities between Dekina and Ankpa local government areas.
The Governor urged all caretaker chairmen of local government areas in the state to prioritize security of lives and property in their respective council areas, stressing that it is better to prevent crime than going after criminals when the crime has taken place.
Governor Ododo promised that the state government would continue to provide necessary support to ensure security of lives and property in all parts of Kogi State.