The Kogi government has banned gatherings of any form including that of religion, politics and social across the state from 4pm, amid the rise in banditry and kidnap plaguing the nation.
Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo announced this measure to newsmen during an interactive session which took place after an emergency stakeholders’ meeting with security agencies, and traditional rulers at the Government House, Lokoja, on Thursday.
Speaking, the governor also declared that bandit chiefs have moved into the state, saying, government and security agencies would rely solely on kinetic approach to tackle the menace.
“Before now, you will hear of shooting in schools and residents across the world… we have to put heads together to save our people. We have come to brainstorm and see a way out and provide our people with the needed security.
“The major commandeers of the bandits have relocated to Kogi state in the last three days but we will not wait for them to fight us; we will take the fight to them.
“We are not going to bow to the criminals, we are not going to negotiate with them ; we are not going to pay ransom, we are going to sensitise our people to be security conscious of their activities,” Ododo stated.
He made it known that the State Security Council resolved that henceforth all public activities, be it religious or social, should end by 4pm until further notice.
Striking a note of warning to event centres that is found violating the directive, the governor said they would face demolition.
