Kogi Govt raises alarm as Okun Youth, women allegedly aiding bandits with weapons, food, and relationships
The Kogi State government has raised serious concerns over alleged collaboration between some youths and women in Okun land with armed bandits, warning that anyone caught aiding criminal elements will be treated as a terrorist.
State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omadara (rtd.), disclosed during a security briefing at the palace of the Elegbe of Egbe, Oba Ayodele Irukera, while giving updates on ongoing efforts by the government to rid Kogi West of insecurity.
According to Omadara, intelligence reports available to the government reveal that certain youths in Okun land have resorted to using motorcycles to convey weapons, ammunition, and food supplies to bandits hiding in the forests. He noted that about seven youths are already on security watchlists for allegedly being on the payroll of the criminals.
“Our youths are already involved. They use their motorcycles to supply weapons and ammunition into the bush,” he said, lamenting that the disturbing trend is fueling violent attacks and kidnappings in the region.
Omadara further revealed that the problem is not limited to the youth alone. He alleged that some women have been recruited by the bandits, supplying food items such as bread and soft drinks while also passing vital information to them. He accused women of transporting ammunition from the far north and handing it over to local collaborators, who in turn deliver it to armed men terrorizing communities.
“Regrettably, the bandits are now operating with the indigenes of Okunland,” Omadara said. “Imagine Okun women becoming girlfriends to bandits. Some of our women supply them with food and intelligence, while others even aid them in moving ammunition. This is unacceptable.”
The security adviser expressed dismay that some residents have chosen to pay bandits to avoid being kidnapped instead of cooperating with security agencies, insisting that such individuals will be exposed at the right time.
Omadara also condemned what he described as growing laziness among Okun people, alleging that the Fulani now cultivate crops like okro, pepper, and maize in the region while the indigenes shy away from farming. He described this as a “sad aberration” that must be corrected if the communities are to take control of their destiny.
He assured traditional rulers and residents that the state government under Governor Usman Ododo is not folding its arms in the face of insecurity. According to him, several bandit leaders have been arrested or killed in operations, and the government remains committed to ensuring that the people of Kogi can return to their farms and sleep with their “two eyes closed.”
“We will continue to pursue these criminals until we finish them. We will not rest until our communities are safe again,” Omadara vowed.
He stressed that the government has heavily invested in agriculture through the provision of farm inputs and urged youths to redirect their energy toward farming rather than supporting criminal activities.
“It is time for the people of Okun land to take their destiny into their own hands. No outsider should come here to violate our peace or dictate how we live,” he said. “Our youths must channel their strength into agriculture and productivity to improve their standard of living instead of aiding those who destroy our land.”
The state government’s warning comes amid heightened security operations in Kogi West, as troops continue to clamp down on banditry and kidnapping rings across the region.
0 Comments