**By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja**
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Monday visited Isanlu-Esa in Yagba West Local Government Area, pledging decisive action to eliminate criminal activities in the region.
The visit followed recent incidents of kidnapping and killings along the Okunran, Okoloke, and Isanlu-Esa communities, which have heightened tension among residents of Yagba West.
Governor Ododo commended the bravery of security agencies and sympathized with families who lost loved ones in the attacks.
> “Let me thank you for your efforts in ensuring security in this area. Your synergy has made your work easier, and I am always ready to provide all necessary support to triumph over criminality,” the governor said.
He assured residents that his administration would not relent until peace is fully restored across the state.
> “I also want to commiserate with families and communities that have lost their loved ones. As your governor, I share in your pain and remain determined to make criminality a thing of the past in this local government. I was elected to protect lives and property, and we will not rest until Kogi State is safe,” he added.
Ododo also paid tribute to the security personnel who died in the line of duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
The governor cautioned traditional rulers against indiscriminate allocation of land to unknown persons, warning that henceforth, anyone with mining licences must be properly profiled by the government and security agencies to prevent security breaches.
He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring peace and security across Kogi and other parts of the country, commending the National Security Adviser and the nation’s security chiefs for effectively implementing the President’s directives toward a safer Nigeria.
Earlier, the Commander of the Nigerian Army overseeing the operation, Brigadier General K. U. Sidi, lauded the joint efforts of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and special forces in tackling criminality in the area.
Brig. Gen. Sidi also appreciated Governor Ododo’s continued support for the security agencies, noting that logistics and other assistance provided by the state government had boosted their operational capacity. He further acknowledged the “invaluable contributions” of the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the ongoing security operation in Yagba West.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Isanlu-Esa, His Royal Highness Oba Olufemi Ogunremi Theophilus, thanked the governor for visiting the community, describing the gesture as a sign of responsive and responsible leadership.
He appealed to security agencies to maintain their presence in the area until criminal activities are completely eradicated and called on the Federal Government to repair the road leading to the community to ease movement and support security operations.
Governor Ododo was accompanied on the visit by top government officials and heads of security agencies.
