By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has warned that youths aiding and abetting banditry in the state will be treated as terrorists.
State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omadara (rtd), gave the warning at the palace of the Elegbe of Egbe, Oba Ayodele Irukera, while briefing traditional rulers on ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in Kogi West.
Omadara disclosed that intelligence reports revealed some youths in Okunland have been using motorcycles to convey weapons and food supplies to bandits in the forest. According to him, about seven youths are already on government’s watchlist for allegedly working on the payroll of the criminals.
“It is regrettable that bandits are now operating with the connivance of some indigenes of Okunland,” he said. “Some of our youths supply them weapons, while women provide food items and information. There are even reports of women keeping relationships with bandits. This betrayal will not be tolerated.”
He also alleged that some residents in Yagba West had paid money to bandits to avoid being kidnapped, vowing that government would expose such collaborators.
Omadara stressed that the state would sustain its crackdown on insurgents, assuring that several of their leaders had already been arrested or killed. “We will continue to pursue and eliminate them until our people can sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.
The Security Adviser urged Okun youths to channel their energy into agriculture, noting that the government has invested heavily in providing inputs for farmers. “It is time for our people to take their destiny into their hands. No outsider should be allowed to violate our land. Our youths must embrace agriculture to improve their standard of living rather than aiding bandits,” he added.
