Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security strategy, saying the administration’s firm stance against negotiating with criminals has significantly improved security in Kogi State.
Governor Ododo, who was accompanied by former Kogi West Senator, Smart Adeyemi, stated this on Tuesday whilst speaking with State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The governor said he visited the President to express appreciation for his administration’s efforts in tackling insecurity and for the support that had contributed to recent security successes.
“I came here with my brother to appreciate Mr President for what he is doing in terms of security and fighting insecurity. I have come to appreciate him for the success we have recorded in the successful rescue of our students and, of course, that of Kogi State,” he stated.
The governor disclosed that President Tinubu had advised him against negotiating with criminals when he assumed office, a strategy he said Kogi State had adopted.
“He told me when I assumed office, ‘Look, don’t negotiate with criminals. Negotiating with criminals indirectly, you are empowering them against yourself,’ and that is what we are doing. Today in Kogi State, we are safe. I don’t play with them. I don’t negotiate with them,” Ododo revealed.
Responding to questions on infrastructure development in the state, the governor declined to enumerate projects, instead inviting journalists to visit Kogi State to assess the progress first-hand.
“If you want to know what we are doing in Kogi State, please come to Kogi State. We are ready to receive you and provide every logistics. Like the Presidential Media Team, they are in Kogi State. Please call them and ask them what they have seen.
“If you are there, I don’t need to interface with you. Whatever you see, report it. But I can assure you, we are doing very, very well,” he said.
