Ododo Visits Forest Guard Training Camp, Reaffirms Resolve To Flush Out Criminals From The Forest

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reclaiming the state’s forests from criminal elements, declaring that there will be no safe haven for terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals operating within Kogi State.

The Governor made the declaration during a visit to the training camp of newly recruited Forest Guard Trainees, where he encouraged them to embrace the responsibility ahead with discipline, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to service.

In a press statement made public by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo,
Addressing the trainees, Governor Ododo noted that one of the major security challenges confronting the state is the vast expanse of forests that have remained largely unoccupied and unguarded, creating opportunities for criminal elements to establish hideouts and launch attacks on innocent citizens.
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He explained that the recruitment and training of Forest Guards form a critical component of the state’s broader security strategy aimed at strengthening surveillance, denying criminals access to safe havens and enhancing the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to security threats across the state.

The Governor said the initiative is part of the Forest Guard programme approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and being implemented through the Office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security institutions.

Governor Ododo commended President Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to strengthening national security and empowering states with innovative strategies to confront emerging security challenges. He also expressed profound appreciation to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his support and leadership in driving security reforms across the country.

The Governor reserved special commendation for the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for his tireless efforts and unwavering support towards the security of Kogi State. He noted that the DSS has continued to play a critical role in supporting security operations in the state and is currently overseeing the profiling and training of the Forest Guard recruits to ensure the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.

Governor Ododo stressed that while his administration is committed to increasing security manpower across the state, it is even more determined to ensure that only men and women of proven character, impeccable integrity and unquestionable loyalty are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the people and communities of Kogi State.

The Governor expressed confidence in the trainees, describing them as a vital addition to the state’s security architecture. He urged them to take their training seriously and prepare themselves for the important task of protecting communities and supporting ongoing efforts to secure lives and property across the state.

He reiterated his determination to rid Kogi State and its forests of criminal elements, stressing that his administration will continue to deploy every lawful resource necessary to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors.

The visit to the Forest Guard training camp comes barely a day after Governor Ododo inspected the first batch of Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government to strengthen the operational capacity and combat readiness of security agencies.

Ahmed Ododo

Governor Ododo maintained that security remains a top priority of his administration and pledged to sustain investments in personnel, equipment and intelligence-driven operations to make Kogi State safer, more peaceful and more attractive for investment and development.

He assured residents that the government would not relent in its efforts until every part of the state is secure and every citizen can go about their lawful activities without fear.
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State Police: NPF Will Not Be Disbanded, Says IGP Olatunji Disu

The inspector general of police, Olatunji Disu, says the creation of the state police does not mean dissolution of the Nigeria Police Force. Mr Disu stated this while addressing officers in Dutse, Jigawa, on Monday.

He said the clarification was imperative to address concerns among operatives surrounding the creation of the state police.

Mr Disu said the legislative development concerning the creation of the state police has generated considerable discussion within policing circles and across the nation in recent weeks.
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“I am aware that many officers and men have questions, concerns and in some cases, genuine anxiety about what this development may mean for the future of the Nigeria Police Force, and for your individual careers.

“As your inspector general of police, it is important that I address these concerns directly and provide as much clarity as possible. Let me begin by assuring every officer here today that there is no cause for panic.

“The creation of state police does not mean the abolition of the Nigeria Police Force. It does not mean the cancellation of your rank, the loss of your employment, the forfeiture of your pensions, or the erosion of your accrued rights and benefits. Your future remains protected,” Mr Disu explained.

According to Mr Disu, the objective of the reform is to strengthen Nigeria’s overall policing architecture by creating additional policing structures closer to the communities they serve, while maintaining a strong national policing institution capable of addressing inter-state, national, and transnational security threats.

He said that under the proposed framework, the NPF would evolve into the Federal Police Service.

The development, he said, should not be seen as a weakening of the institution, but rather a strategic repositioning that would enable the NPF to focus more effectively on its national mandate.

Mr Disu said the structures and capabilities that have made the NPF an indispensable component of Nigeria’s security architecture would remain in place.

“Our zonal and state formations will continue to exist. Our specialised formations and units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, SWAT, the Anti-Bomb Squad, the VCRU, INTERPOL, Cybercrime Unit and other strategic operational assets, will remain critical components of the Federal Police Service.

“These units will continue to provide the specialised capabilities required to address terrorism, organised crime, cyber threats, interstate criminality and other complex security challenges,” he said.

Mr Disu assured that the reform was intended to expand policing opportunities, not diminish them, stressing that no officer would be compelled to leave the Federal Police Service.

He said that any movement of personnel into the state police structure would be facilitated through the Voluntary Transfer Programme, designed to ensure that officers can make informed choices about their future careers within the new policing structure.

“The guiding principle behind the VTP is simple: choice, fairness and transparency. Officers who wish to remain within the Federal Police Service will have the opportunity to continue their careers within the federal structure, while those who may wish to serve within emerging State Police Services will be able to indicate their interest through clearly defined processes when the time comes,” he said.

He assured that welfare, professional standing, career progression, pension benefits and legitimate expectations of the personnel would be fully protected throughout the transition.

Mr Disu said that he would continue to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that every decision taken reflects the best interests of those who have devoted their lives to serving the nation.

IGP Olatunji Disu

“Many of you have devoted decades of your lives to this institution. You have served in difficult terrains, confronted dangerous criminals, and made enormous sacrifices in service to our nation,” he said.

He urged the officers to remain calm, focused and professional, and not be distracted by rumours, speculation or misinformation.

The police chief also enjoined them to discharge their duties diligently and maintain the high standards expected of them, adding that, whatever shape the future architecture of policing will take, professionalism, discipline, integrity, and commitment to service are the defining qualities of a successful police officer.
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“Bring Back Our Loved Ones Home”, Abductees’ Families Beg President Tinubu

The coalition of families of the 13 travellers, including children, women and members of the National Youth Service Corps abducted while travelling from Biu to Maiduguri, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, to rescue their relatives who have now spent two months in captivity.

The spokesperson of the families, Hassan Yati, made the appeal on Saturday during a press conference in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

While commending the efforts of the government for the recent rescue of 360 abducted women and children from the Ngoshe community, he called for urgent action to ensure the safe return of their relatives, who have now spent 60 days after their abduction on April 15.
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“Today, we address you with hearts weighed down by pain, fear and uncertainty over the abduction of 13 travellers who left Biu for Maiduguri on April 15, 2026, but never reached their destination after their vehicles were ambushed by suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgents along the Biu-Buratai-Kamuya road.

“While we rejoice over the recent rescue of 360 abducted women, children and men from Ngoshe, as well as the release of 11 abducted fisherwomen from Askira Uba, our joy remains incomplete because our loved ones are still in captivity,” he said.

Yati disclosed that the abductions have forced families into frustration and left many broken.

“Today marks exactly 60 painful days since they disappeared. Sixty days of unanswered questions, sixty days of sleepless nights, sixty days of children waiting at the door for parents who never returned home.

“On that tragic day, two overloaded station wagon vehicles carrying innocent passengers were stopped by armed insurgents and driven into the bush to an unknown destination. Since then, silence has surrounded their fate,” Yati recalled.

According to the spokesman, among those abducted were a mother carrying her seven-month-old baby who had only just recovered from an illness, young graduates travelling to Maiduguri to process their NYSC deployment and a husband and wife from Hawul.

“Two brothers full of dreams, young men and women hoping to begin new chapters of their lives after years of struggle. None of them imagined that an ordinary journey of less than six hours would become a nightmare stretching into months. Please help us bring our loved ones home,” he pleaded.

Bandit

Yati urged the government to expedite action towards their release in order to ease the pain on the families.

“We have seen the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Nigerian Army and security agencies in securing the release of other abducted victims in recent weeks. Those successes have reminded us that rescue is possible and that our loved ones, too, can still come home alive.

“Today, we humbly and passionately appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Hon Muktar Aliyu Betara, Hon Midala Usman Balami, Hon Ahmed Usman Jaha, the Nigerian Army and all relevant security agencies not to forget our families,” he begged.
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