Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Tuesday banned use of nose masks and brothels in the state, saying they aid immorality and criminality in the state.

Mr Bello made this declaration in a meeting with traditional rulers, local government chairmen and security agencies in the government.

“We are aware that some criminals will take a machine or keke NAPEP and wear a face cap and nose mask and be spying or going for criminal activities. Therefore, except in hospitals or related institutions, use of nose masks in public is hereby banned and prohibited in Kogi State,” the governor declared.

“All brothels as from today are closed down completely. All brothels, not hotels but brothels where acts of criminality or certain immoral acts are taking place in the state are hereby closed down,” Mr Bello added.

The governor further warned that brothels that operate in the state will be demolished as from tomorrow, August 3, 2022.

The governor’s declaration came in the wake of gunmen attack that left three police officers and five vigilante men dead at Jidda-Bassa community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area on Sunday.

A traditional ruler in the area was suspended while the local government chairman was queried in connection with the attack.

Charging security agencies, traditional rulers and local government chairmen in the meeting to collaborate to support his government to combat crime and criminality in the state, Mr Bello vowed to get those behind Sunday’s attack dead or alive.