,,,,It is Not A State Of Emergency,he stresses.
By Maryam Abubakar Gulma in Lokoja.
The governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo has made Executive Proclamation On Security Protocol in Kogi state,emphasized that the move is not a declaration of State of Emergency.
He made the statement when he received the recovered weapons at the Lugard House in Lokoja today Tuesday.
He said “Whereas Section 14, subsection 2B of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended writes the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary responsibility of the governments”
“Section 5 of subsection 2 of section 176 of subsection 2 of the constitution vests the executive pulse of the Kogi State to be exercised for the maintenance of public order, public safety and good governance in accordance with the constitution and the laws of the state.
“By the above provision the governor of Kogi State is constitutionally empowered to take lawful executive and administrative measures to support security agencies to protect life, prosperity and territorial integrity of the state.
“Kogi State has in recent times faced evolving security threats including infiltration of criminal elements masquerading as security operatives as well as logistics supports and operatives to bandits and other criminal groups
“Therefore it has become necessary to strengthen security coordination, accountability and preventive measures without declaring a state of emergency or suspending fundamental rights in the state”.
The Governor issued an executive proclamation on security protocols as follows:
“Any individual or organization that knowingly identifies, supports, harbors, aids, abates or shows material solidarity with bandits, terrorists or other criminal elements operating within Kogi State or granting support of whoever of whatever kind from outside Kogi State shall be treated as a criminal, collaborator and an enemy of the state and hence dealt with in accordance with this declaration and any law in force.
“Any vendor, supplier, transpoter, or commercial entity that knowingly provides goods, services, logistics, funding, food, fuel, communication facilities any form of material assistance to bandits, terrorists or any criminal groups operating within Kogi shall be deemed enemy of the state aiding criminal activities and shall be investigated, arrested and prosecuted under applicable laws
“Any person, group financing professional body including any individual or firm found to be knowingly facilitating, financing, shipping and providing professional cover for bandits or terrorists organizations in Kogi state beyond what is permitted under the law shall be treated as criminals, collaborators, enemies of the state and subjected to investigations and prosecutions in accordance with due process
“All movable and immovable items found to have been used for such criminal activities shall be forfeited to the state government
“Nothing in this provision shall be construed to criminalised lawful, legal, presentation carried out in good faith and in line with constitutional guarantees.
“Henceforth, all security operatives entering or operating Kogi State shall be required to properly identify themselves and present valid operational credentials when required.
“Security operatives working within the state shall be subjected to verification and clearance by security monitoring team comprising representatives of the Armed Forces of Nigeria , The Nigeria Police Force , The Department of State Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and para military agencies.
“Impersonating security operatives or operating without valid identification or authorisation shall be immediately arrested, investigated and charged to court in accordance with the law.
“This measure is aimed curbing at alarming infiltration of fake and unauthorised persons posing as security operatives within the state
“The security monitoring teams shall be strategically stationed at bother communities and key entry points in Kogi state
Security operatives from other states or formations entering Kogi State for operation shall be required to properly identify themselves and obtain necessary clearance in line with enter agency protocol.
“This proclamation is issued solely to strengthen the security architecture of Kogi State enhance coordination amongst security agencies and protect citizens from criminal elements including the danger paused by fake security personnel.
“Nothing in this proclamation shall be interpreted as a declaration of a state of emergency or suspension of constitution or authorisation for lawful arrest, detention or infringement of fundamental human rights
“This proclamation shall take effect upon publication of the information of Kogi State official gazette.
He confirmed that many deadly weapons were discovered Monday night but no arrest was successful, attributing the recovery to the concerted efforts by the security agencies in Kogi state
The recovered items include;AK 47 riffles 24 nos, compaction riffle 23 nos, Carbo riffle 1, Fa rifle 1, carted pistol 4, prowny riflle 4, various types of magazines 42, GPMG 7 2 armor 520, several ammunition for AK47, several cartridges for compactions, several ammunition for pirated pistols, handcuffs 3, cartridge coasters 13, SMGOFM 4
Ododo challenged the criminals to be prepared, saying that he is going to their hideouts, reiterating that government will never negotiate with criminals.
He emphasized that Kogi State borders ten states,a development he added,made it at a very challenging position for fighting against criminals
The governor appreciated all the security agencies for their tireless support
“We are out to serve people that’s why they are here”he said.
Ododo who noted that security Chiefs hardly travel out of the river, said,”we are ready to serve people they will take the fight to the criminal hideouts.”
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
