… STRENGTHEN SECURITY ACROSS THE STATE.
Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications
has assured that the State Government remains accountable to the people as it is working assiduously to rescue the three children abducted in Ajaokuta LGA unhurt.
Recalled that unknown gunmen on Wednesday kidnapped three Children in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.
It was gathered that the incident happened at about 8:00PM in Kaduna Estate Ajaokuta Steel township complex.
The incident is coming few days
when three Policemen and five Vigilantes were killed by unidentified gunmen in Jida Bassa under Ajaokuta Local Government.
Hon. Fanwo in a statement said as a
” Government that is accountable to the people wish to make the following statements concerning the breach of security in Ajaokuta Local Government Area and efforts at retaining the trust of our people in protecting them
” Kogi State is known for distinguishing herself in ensuring security of lives and property of not only the residents, but also travellers across the state which shares borders with nine other states and the Federal Capital Territory.
” In as much as we activate dynamism in our security architecture and strategy, we recognise the fact that some cowards will sometimes try to undermine our efforts. What we have always done in such circumstances is to go after the criminals, apprehend them and bring them to justice.
” Immediately the unfortunate report was brought to the attention of the State Government, our administration has spread our security net in working with the conventional security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure the abducted children are rescued alive and the cowards who abducted them brought to book.
” In Kogi State, the life of everyone matters. The Governor and the Government of Kogi State understand that the number one responsibility of Government is the protection of the lives and property of the citizens. The Kogi State Government will never shirk such responsibility.
” In as much as we would not want to divulge everything about the current operations to rescue the children unhurt which we know will be achieved very soon, we wish to assure Kogi residents that Government will remain vigilant in protecting the people. We will continue to work with security agencies to retain our enviable position as the safest state in the country today.
” We urge the people of Ajaokuta and indeed, Kogi State in general to go about their normal businesses as we have put in place, stringent security measures to ensure the safety of all. Government will spare no resource to ensure our cherished children are rescued alive and unhurt. The Governor is personally coordinating the rescue efforts in collaboration with the security chiefs in the state as well as local vigilante groups. There is already a massive deployment to the area to achieve results.
” Let me reiterate it here once again that the ban on nose mask, brothels and shanties subsists. The measure was to give criminals no hiding place in our dear state. Hotels have also been directed to properly profile their guests as failure to do that will attract severe penalties. Our Taskforce and Operation Total Freedom will intensify surveillance to keep our dear state safe. We also urge the Federal Government to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Project as some of the abandoned facilities and structures in the town harbor criminal elements.
” Great Kogi People, our heroics in Security under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello were made possible by your cooperation and taking ownership of the security plans of the Government. We have apprehended many criminals and averted many potential blood-bath situations as a result of your volunteering intelligence. We need to do more now to promote security without which there can’t be prosperity.
” Community leaders, political actors and everyone must plug into our security architecture and efforts at keeping our state safe. Be assured that the Governor is personally leading these efforts and from the front. To our friends in the media, we urge you to observe the rules of crime reporting and do everything possible to avoid sensationalism when reporting crime. A safe Kogi is the benefit of all, including the media.
” We thank members of the 4th Estate of the Realm for the cooperation so far and be assured that we will continue to cooperate with you as important pillars for the development of our dear state”, he Hon Fanwo said.
As at time of press, a family source who craved anonymity identified the parent of the kidnapped Children as Mr Kadiri who hailed from Edo State.
The source said the gunmen have however on Thursday morning contacted the family of their victims demanding for N100Million before they will release the abducted Children.
It was also gathered that the kidnapped Children are within the age of five, seven and ten respectively.
Narrating how the incident happened, the source said ” The gunmen came in their numbers fully armed to the house of Mr Kadiri our brother that sells television, radio and other electronic device in the steel township.
“They shot countless time to scare People from coming close. When they could not see their target victim,(Kadiri) they decided to pick the three Children from the house. As we speak, their whereabout is unknown. The kidnappers contacted some of our family members and they are demanding for N100Million”.