Kogi assures residents of safety after alleged threats

The Kogi State Government has assured residents of Yagba West and surrounding communities of their safety, following heightened fears over alleged threats to churches and growing insecurity in the area.

In May, PUNCH Metro gathered that a memo reportedly signed by Kanwai James, the Divisional Police Officer of Isanlu, Yagba East, warned of “plans by criminal elements to launch an attack on churches in Yagba East, Kogi State.”

The viral memo, addressed to the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the area, also advised that “churches activate their internal security mechanism and stay on alert.”

Responding to the concerns in a statement made available to PUNCH Metro on Saturday, following a press briefing, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said Governor Usman Ododo’s administration had taken concrete steps to secure lives and property across the state.

“The state is not under siege and will not be. We are not paying lip service to the security of our people. The governor has taken firm steps to neutralise any flashpoints of insecurity,” Fanwo declared.

While acknowledging ongoing security concerns in parts of Yagba land, particularly in Yagba West, Fanwo assured residents that the government was carefully managing the situation to prevent escalation.

“We are managing the fine line between urgency and the need to tread softly in order not to compound the situation.

“Government is on top of the matter, and our interventions are guided, targeted, and strategic,” he explained.

Addressing the alleged threat to churches, Fanwo said the governor had ordered a thorough investigation to verify the claims.

“Security has not broken down in any part of Kogi and will not break down. We have reached an advanced stage of collaboration with national security structures to neutralise every threat to peace and stability in our state,” he said.

The commissioner also praised grassroots security outfits such as the Okun hunters and other community-based structures for their continued vigilance.

“These community-based efforts are critical to our overall strategy.

“His Excellency has given the State Security Adviser a marching order to deepen community pushback mechanisms against insecurity,” Fanwo noted.

He revealed that intelligence reports had identified the location of certain criminal elements but warned that the government was executing operational plans with caution to avoid harming innocent victims.

“These criminals are hiding behind innocent Nigerians, many of whom have been kidnapped from Kogi and other states. Our mission is to secure our people without endangering the lives of innocent victims,” he said.

Fanwo also issued a strong caution to media professionals, urging them not to become “image makers to criminals.”

“The aim of these criminals is psychological warfare, using flash attacks and amplified media coverage to create fear and give the false impression that they are stronger than the state.

“We must not play into their hands. The media must act responsibly,” he stated.

While admitting there had been isolated security incidents, he said the state government remains proactive and confident of victory.

He said, “We are working, we are hopeful, and we are winning. We are on their trail. We have taken the fight to them. This is not a media war, so we won’t be talking much about it.

“Actions are ongoing. Kogi won’t submit to terror. The governor is determined to make every inch of Kogi land safe for all residents.”