- Ododo Hails Tinubu’s Security Reforms After Major Arms Recovery in Kogi
- Ododo attributed the success to renewed and aggressive security measures
- Ododo said security agencies in the state; including the DSS, police, military and Navy are working round the clock to ensure safety
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has said the security reforms recently introduced by President Bola Tinubu are beginning to yield tangible results across the country, following the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition in the state, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state capital, Ododo said the breakthrough followed more than a week of intelligence-driven surveillance carried out by security agencies with the support of the Kogi State Government.
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According to the governor, the recovered weapons publicly displayed during the briefing were seized during a coordinated overnight operation that uncovered a major criminal enclave where the arms had been concealed.
Ododo attributed the success to renewed and aggressive security measures, which he said were further strengthened after his recent meeting with President Tinubu.
“When I met Mr President, I expected commendation. But he told me that he’s more focused on intelligence-driven operations. That re-energized and redirected me,” the governor said.
He explained that following the meeting, the state government regrouped with security agencies, harmonised strategies, and acted decisively on credible intelligence.
“We immediately regrouped, met with the security agencies, harmonised our strategies and acted decisively on credible intelligence. We put the strategy, tested it, and the results have been wonderful,” Ododo added.
Although no arrests were made during the raid, the governor described the recovery as a major strategic breakthrough in the fight against crime, noting that disrupting access to weapons significantly weakens criminal networks.
Ododo commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, and heads of other security agencies for their support in driving the ongoing security reforms.
“The support we got from the NSA and DSS DG greatly helped the joint security team the Kogi State Government set up to achieve results,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s resolve, Ododo said security agencies in the state; including the DSS, police, military and Navy are working round the clock to ensure safety.
“We will never bow to criminals, and we will never negotiate with them,” he declared.
The governor attributed persistent criminal activity in the state to Kogi’s strategic location, noting that it shares boundaries with 10 states and serves as a major transit corridor with multiple entry and exit points.
He urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely, accurate and credible information, assuring them of the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
Items recovered include 24 AK-47 rifles, 23 pump-action rifles, one Tavor rifle, one FN rifle, four Barrett pistols, four Browning rifles, 42 magazines, 520 rounds of GPMG 7.62 ammunition, as well as large quantities of AK-47 ammunition and cartridges for pump-action and Barrett pistols.
Other items recovered include 13 holsters, tear gas cartridges, and submachine gun (SMG) components, among others.
