* 17 suspects docked.
ATABOR JULIUS LOKOJA
Kogi state government has reiterated her commitment to secure the state from banditry, kidnapping,and sundry crimes and criminality as it has vowed to prosecute and confiscates working tools, vehicles and other materials belonging to illegal miners operating in the state
The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omadara rtd made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The State Security Adviser, noted that security architecture of the state has discovered a threat in the last few weeks of influx of illegal miners allegedly coming from Zamfara state and other parts of the country to Ashawa,in Lokoja and Yagba East LGAs.
He said the influx of hoodlums to Jamata, Kakanda, Asawa with heavy equipment, generators, pipes and other materials used in their nefarious activities prompted security agencies to swing into action by arresting 17 persons believed to be illegal miners in separate operations.
He added that the equipment seized from the suspects include 15 new generators, equipment for stone grounding and other materials which were meant to be used in kogi forest.
He said , these persons could be a potential for insecurity, banditry and kidnapping which the state considered to be a threat to a safe and secure environment if the government allow them to fester.
He added that the 12 brigade in conjunction with sister security agencies who made the arrest have handed them over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC and undergoing interrogation and possible prosecution.
The Security Adviser assured that the state has been able to turn the tide, block and cage banditry, kidnapping, and will continue to work hard to sustain the tempo.
Omodara, stated that both kinetic and non kinetic modes would be applied to get them out of the state forest through clearance operations.
” We are using a lot of non kinetic approach to ensure that kogi remains peaceful and safe . I’m warning those who think they can ply their trade in the state to have a rethink or be ready to meet their Waterloo.
“We are equally warning those using motor parks,Trucks, Vehicles, and big companies that are bringing them to kogi that the government will confiscate those properties and have them prosecuted.
” We are calling on the government of Zamfara and Katsina , as the investigation reveals that these people are coming from their states- and they shoy ensure that they are stopped from coming to kogi state. Even the transporters who convey their vehicles would be arrested and their vehicles confiscated. Our traditional rulers and community leaders should not harbour them as we are not going to allow it to happen here , for we have worked to secure the state to this level and we would not allow persons or group of persons to draw back the clock.”
He advised potential miners to secure appropriate license from the ministry of Mines and power , have relationship with kogi state as the government will not allow to operate in the forest, insisting that mining remains serious threat that encourages banditry and kidnapping activities.
