The Government of Kogi has empowered newly recruited 1,050 Hunters in the state with security gadgets and safety materials to boost community policing.
The State Governor Ahmed Ododo, who superintended over the gadgets’ distribution on Thursday in Lokoja, charged the hunters to deal decisively with criminals.
“We are all Kogites, we must protect ourselves. Kogi is not a free-trade zone for criminals; you have government’s backing to protect the land. When you see them, deal with them decisively…criminals must be wiped out of our land,” he said.
“Our resolve to evolve a grassroots-led security approach and engage our hunters was amplified by their courageous and professional conduct during our rescue efforts that led to the release of 29 of the 31 Kidnapped students from CUSTECH.
“Our faith in the people-led security approach as a new strategy is a clear manifestation of our determination to recalibrate our security architecture,” the governor added.
Commending the State House of Assembly for the prompt approval of the recruitment of 1,050 hunters to complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies, he said “We are at an advanced stage to insure the lives of the hunters.
“We are also distributing security gadgets and safety materials such as Level 4 Ballistic Vests to fend off bullet attacks as well as boots to help them move around in the forests unhurt among other materials.
“In our fight against terror, we must agree that battlefields have changed and technology has evolved.
“We are determined to fight at different levels and secure our land and people. Kogi will be steps ahead of the enemies of peace,” he said.
He urged the hunters to collaborate effectively with security agencies devoid of any kind of rivalry and appreciated the heads of security agencies for giving proper orientation to the recruited hunters on the rules of their engagement.
Earlier, the State’s Security Adviser, Retired Cdr Jerry Omdara, noted that the hunters had been subjected to intensive training and orientation to guide them in the task ahead.
(NAN)
