Northern Violence Pushing Criminals Into Kogi, Says Governor Ododo

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has raised concerns over the growing security challenges in his state, attributing the recent rise in criminal activity to spillover from the crisis-ridden Northeast and Northwest regions of Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday during a visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee, Ododo made it clear that Kogi should not be seen as a sanctuary for criminals fleeing military operations elsewhere.

“Kogi is not a refuge for criminals—we are addressing them firmly and effectively, even if we’re not loud about it,” the governor declared.

Ododo pointed out that Kogi’s location—bordering 10 states including the Federal Capital Territory—makes it particularly susceptible to infiltration by armed groups displaced from other conflict zones.

He also identified the underutilisation of the state’s rich mineral and agricultural assets as a major factor contributing to instability. According to him, over 32 mineral deposits and vast arable land remain untapped, which could otherwise generate employment and reduce insecurity.

He noted that criminal elements moving into the state—“people who live in forests and evade civilization”—are largely the result of the military pushback in Northern Nigeria.

Emphasising his administration’s commitment, the governor stated that he is determined to protect lives and livelihoods across Kogi and called for national unity in addressing the broader insecurity facing the country.