….says he doesn’t visit Abuja for solution to security challenges
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has revealed that the successes recorded in security in the state were resultant effects of communal collaboration, honesty alongside synergy between government, security agencies and the community.
He added that it was not in his character to visit the Federal Government to demand for solutions to concerns in area of security but rather, his government was constantly in tune with the people of the state down to the grassroots.
Governor Bello made this known on Thursday while appearing on Channels Television Sunrise Daily to bare his mind on recent issues of insecurity particularly the lingering farmers and herders clashes as well as inter-ethnic conflicts.
He said that in Kogi State, the concept of Community Policing entails that every citizen takes responsibility in ensuring safety and security within their respective localities through active information and intelligence sharing to the right quarters.
Governor Bello asserted that it was the responsibility of every state governor to secure his or her territory and not to always run to the center to seek help, adding that such was achievable when leaders were decisive and get connected with their people.
He affirmed that although, there were pockets of reported kidnap cases in some parts of the state, many of those happening were faced and confronted head-on with several reports of rescue of victims and arrest of perpetrators recorded.
The governor stated that he was fully aware that despite successes in security, there was more to be done and his government was not resting on its oars as it would continue to stamp out insecurity from the state.
Governor Bello said Kogi was a known hot spot for criminals as well as their activities and that several of these criminal elements including a discovered ISIS settlement and training camp were rooted out by the collective efforts of security agencies in the state.
He advised governors to instill confidence in their people which he noted would ease their mind towards intelligence sharing while they also foster equality, love and peace among all ethnic, religion and social groups in their territories.