My administration will not negotiate with criminals — Kogi gov

The Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, on Tuesday declared that his administration would not negotiate with criminals, vowing to crush and defeat them.

Speaking at the Kogi State Security Summit and Fundraising held in Abuja, he stressed that anyone who disturbs the peace of the state would not enjoy it.

He added that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of his government.

Ododo said, “Let me be clear, this administration will not negotiate with criminals. I was not elected to pamper the enemies of our peace.

Those who disturb our peace will not enjoy peace. We will confront them, we will crush them, and we will defeat them.”

The governor noted that security remains the foundation for development, warning that without peace, economic growth and investment cannot thrive.

According to him, Kogi State’s strategic position as a gateway between northern and southern Nigeria presents both opportunities and security risks.

Kogi occupies a unique central position, which is beneficial for commerce but also exposes us to infiltration by criminal elements due to the constant movement of people and goods,” he said.

Ododo disclosed that his administration has strengthened the state’s security architecture through the provision of operational vehicles, deployment of advanced communication and surveillance systems, and acquisition of drones to enhance intelligence gathering.

He said the measures were already yielding results, with improved calm in several areas and disruption of criminal networks.

Ododo explained that the restructuring of the Kogi State Security Trust Fund was aimed at creating a transparent platform for individuals, corporate organisations, and institutions to contribute to security initiatives, appealing to investors and the business community to support the state’s security drive.

“Security is the backbone of economic success. By supporting our initiatives, you are not only protecting your investments but also securing the future of our state and country,” he said.

Highlighting Kogi’s importance to national stability, the governor warned that insecurity in the state could have spillover effects on the Federal Capital Territory.

“If there is no peace in Kogi, it will affect Abuja. We must not allow that to happen,” he said.

His comments come amid criticism of some governors entering peace deals with terrorists in their states.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said President Bola Tinubu is prioritising security reforms as a central pillar of his administration, stressing that no meaningful development can take place without peace and stability.

Shettima, represented by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, said the President has made confronting security lapses a top priority, noting that he understands with unmistakable clarity that without security there can be no durable development, no meaningful investment, no stable communities, and no credible future.

He added that the Federal Government is deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to address the country’s security challenges.

“We are strengthening operational capacity, supporting inter-agency coordination, improving intelligence, and investing in the conditions that make peace sustainable,” he said.

The Vice President also emphasised the need for proactive measures, warning that Nigeria cannot afford to wait for threats to escalate.

“A serious nation does not wait for danger to mature before it begins to think. It reads the weather before the storm and studies the fault lines before they crack,” he stated.

According to him, security efforts must be collective and adaptive to effectively counter evolving threats.

“The enemies of peace are organised, they are deliberate, they adapt. So our response must be organised, deliberate, and adaptive,” Shettima said.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state emphasised that tackling insecurity requires sustained funding, modern technology, and attention to underlying socio-economic factors.

Zulum described security as a cardinal objective of any administration, stressing that “the nexus between peace, security and development need not be over-emphasised.”

Drawing from Borno State’s experience, he said, “we have been facing security challenges for over a decade, but with commitment, we have reduced them by over 90 per cent,” while noting that the progress came at significant cost.

According to him, reliance on force alone is insufficient.

“The kinetic measures alone will not end the insurgency. We need modern equipment—artificial intelligence, robotics, drones—because it is difficult to fight an enemy you cannot see,” he said.

Zulum also pointed to structural drivers of insecurity, warning that without addressing poverty, infrastructure deficits, illiteracy, and other socio-economic challenges, insecurity will never end.