Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has vowed that his administration would flush out all criminal elements in the state.

Mr Ododo said this on Friday in Lokoja during the passing out parade of 132 rank and file of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Represented by the state security adviser, retired Cdr Jerry Omodara, the governor said there had been fighting back by criminals since Jan. 27 when his administration came on board.

“Security is a work in progress. Now that there is a new government, we have realised that there is a fight back by criminals, but we have a solid foundation as far as security is concerned in Kogi.

“That is the reason we quickly reviewed the security architecture of the state and every loophole we needed to plug.

“We are already sniffing them out. We have issues of almost three kidnapped cases simultaneously along the Obajana-Kabba road that almost gave us another bad name.

“I can assure you today that the state has tackled them very well; we are determined to flush out criminals from our dear state,” Ododo said,

The governor promised his continued support for the security agencies and urged them to work in synergy to ensure that Kogi remained safe.

Mr Ododo assured of his determination’s determination to not only sustain the foundation of security architecture inherited from the previous government but also to improve on it.

He restated his commitment to continue to invest heavily in technology and human intelligence, saying, “When we have the security working as one body, you will discover that we will achieve results.

“Insecurity is community-based. We have also involved security at the grassroots.

“We are carrying the hunters along and reviewing the Kogi State vigilante activities. We are bringing them to be a serious fighting force to make sure Kogi is kept safe”.

He commended the NSCDC personnel for their role in protecting lives and properties in the country and implored them to do more for the unity of Nigeria as a nation.

Earlier, the NSCDC Commandant in Kogi, Paul Igwebuike, commended the corps’s Commandant-General, Dr Abubakar Audi, on his policies in rejigging NSCDC, saying it has yielded positive results.

The state commandant advised the newly recruited officers to serve their fatherland with sincerity to the nation.

“Our security situation continues to be uncertain and fluid with persisting combination of conventional and unconventional challenges.

“You will, therefore, see yourselves being involved in a variety of tasks; your graduation today is not the end but a new beginning of your training and education in the Corps.

“Security keeping is a serious business, and all hands must be on deck. Vandalism and all that is associated with it will come to an end in Kogi State,” Mr Igwebuike said.

(NAN)