Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has ordered the demolition of a notorious structure, popularly known as Sambel Joint in Idoji, Okene Local Government Area, following credible intelligence reports linking the facility to criminal activities.

Mr Ododo, who ordered the demolition on Thursday in Lokoja, also invalidated all fraudulently and illegally acquired property across the state.

The governor declared such property as null, void, and of no legal effect.

He warned that any property found to have been illegally acquired or used for criminal purposes would be reclaimed by the government, and those involved would be prosecuted.

Some of the properties invalidated and demolished include the one located at GP. 23A, 23B, 24A & 24B (Government Quarters, Idoji, Okene), with Certificate of Occupancy number KG. 13958.

According to him, investigations confirmed that they had been illegally acquired and used as hideouts by criminal elements.

He said the property violated the Kogi Land Administration Law and the Anti-Kidnapping Law, having been unlawfully occupied and converted into operational bases for criminal activities.

“The decisive action followed sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering, which revealed that the location had become a haven for criminals, posing serious security threats to residents and commuters within the area,” Mr Ododo.

He restated his administration’s commitment to residents’ security.

The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support in strengthening security across the state.

“I sincerely appreciate my leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the support he is giving us and for the service he is rendering to ensure that our state is secured from criminal activities that some of our people, unfortunately, encourage,” he said.

According to the governor, investigations revealed that the demolished property belonged to the government but was illegally taken over and converted into criminal operational bases.

“This demolition you are seeing here today is to give our people the needed security they deserve. We discovered that criminals had taken over this property, and when we realised that their activities were giving our people unrest, we had to take a bold decision,” Mr Ododo explained.

Mr Ododo warned criminals and their collaborators to steer clear of Kogi, as his administration would not tolerate any crime in any part of the state.

“I will never negotiate with any criminal. We will take the fight to them anywhere they are.

“If you harbour criminals, your house will go down. If you keep criminals, your house will go down,” the governor warned.

(NAN)