The Kogi government on Monday directed illegal occupants of the Confluence Stadium Lokoja to leave within 14 days.

The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, gave the directive when he led a team to assess the extent of vandalism in the stadium in Lokoja.

Mr Anyebe said the team was in the stadium to assess the extent of vandalism by criminal elements who had carted away some equipment.

He expressed concern over the level of vandalism, describing it as worrisome and vowed that the government would do everything possible to bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

The commissioner, therefore, ordered all the illegal occupants to vacate the premises within 14 days, after which they would be forcefully evicted and arrested for prosecution.

He also warned that the government would not allow miscreants to turn the stadium complex into a harbour for criminal elements and vandalise the sports facilities.

“All illegal occupants within the premises and the immediate perimeter fence of the stadium should heed the directive to vacate the premises within 14 days.

“Governor Ahmed Ododo will not condone any act of criminality in the state; anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law,” Mr Anyebe warned.

Mr Anyebe further disclosed that plans were ongoing to renovate the stadium to a world standard for easy sporting activities.

The commissioner stressed that adequate measures were being implemented to safeguard the sports facilities.

After assessing the stadium, the commissioner visited the state command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He informed the NSCDC of the development and stressed the need for collaboration with the ministry to provide adequate security for the stadium.

Mr Anyebe appealed to the command to work collectively with his office to ensure corps personnel were posted to the facility to avoid recurrent vandalism.

In his remarks, the deputy commandant, Bala Bodinga, on behalf of the state’s NSCDC commandant, Paul Igwebuike, commended the commissioner and his encouragement for the visit.

(NAN)