Security
Almajiris beat Kogi security strategy, enters 21 LGs, raises fears of coronavirus
Kogi State in the North Central Nigeria might have been the next bus stop for the Almajiris who are migrating from the coronavirus ravaged Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto and other parts of the core North.
The Almajiris who’s COVID-19 status are not known see Kogi State as not being strict following the governor’s lifting of lockdown and restoration of worship centres in the State.
The dreaded coronavirus otherwise known as Covid 19 may have been actively be spreading across the 21 Local government areas in the state without people knowing.
The development of the Almajiris trooping into the State with unchecked influx of vehicles is an undisputable fact that would change the coronavirus status of the State any time soon.
This is not withstanding that some Almajiris who claimed they came from Kano were intercepted by the Special Assistant to Kogi State governor on Security Matters in Lokoja Local government and were immediately turned back last week.
More so, Kogi State government apart from bounded by nine other state, it is the gateway to North and South.
Particularly so, other State of the South west, South South and Southeasrt which have boundaries with Kogi State have been so vigilante in the look out for intruders. These States have been intercepting Almajiris and were turning them back to their States of origin.
Sources revealed that between Thursday and early Monday morning, that no fewer than 16 trailers came into Lokoja the state capital with hundreds of commercial motorcycles operators and their bikes from Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, and other far northern states. Some of them were alledgedly turned back elsewhere, but headed to Kogi, according to reliable source.
It was also gathered hundreds of other people who entered into the state with ease from Niger, FCT, Benue, Enugu , among others including some Almajiris who were ferried into the state from Nasarawa state.
It will be recalled that about 10 of this almajiris taken to Kano State from Nasarawa tested positive but in the case of Kogi, it was learnt that there are no medical team on ground to test any one neither is there any security personnel to check the the traffic from the numerous borders of the state.
The lack of protective kits in Kogi various hospitals coupled with plans by the State government to shortchange State workers in payment of salaries has precipitated threat to down tools by Doctors.
Explaining how possible commuters were beating checkpoints on high ways to get to Lokoja, the source said, “motorists offers between ₦5,000 – ₦10,000 per vehicle depending on the numbers of passengers which the police and soldiers gleefully collected.
It was also learnt that most of the commercial operators later moved to some major towns in the state like, Kabba, Okene, Ayingba, Idah while the almajiris are clustered around the paparanda junction with some in the market areas and bank locations in the state capital.
Meanwhile, residents of the State have expressed fear that with the widespread of the deadly coronavirus all over the globe, their lives are at risk as the State government is not doing enough to protect them.
Those who spoke Capitalpost correspondent also expressed fear that the state is yet to have a functional isolation centres ,nor any palliative incentives meant for its citizens.
Those who spoke with our correspondent also lamented that while many states are currently carrying out fumigation in strategic areas in their various states, Kogi State has not done so neither does it have intention of doing so.
One of the concerned citizens who spoke to our correspondent, Alh . Mohamed Jamiu said that even the common hand sanitizers and protective gloves expected to be distributed to members of the public are neither not a available or in the hands of few government functionaries and their family members alone.
In a similar development, Mr Temitope Ojo urged the state government to redouble its efforts in its efforts to stop the spread of the deadly disease saying the state government unlike other states has not deemed it fit to give a day- to- day briefings to newsmen so as to give accurate information to members of the public.
He said a situation where the state governor and the commissioner of health are not forthcoming ,it has the tendency of creating rumours to thrive over the spread of disease in the state.
Also speaking with our correspondent over the weekend in Lokoja, one of the committee members set up by the state government to help curb the spread of the deadly disease expressed deep disappointment on how the governor and other necessary government functionaries have treated the issue with levity.
According to him since the committee code named Covid 19 Squadron team has been set up several weeks ago, no logistic has so far been released to it either through cash, drugs or equipment while the committee has no durable vehicles to work with.
The member who did not want his name in print said on more than three occasions that the committee met, not even needle was made available by government to work with as the members comprising of clergymen and other reputable citizens are already fed up of what
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc today Thursday 13Th March, 2025 received a delegation from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kogi State led by the State Coordinator, Mr Femi Osungbohun. The visit aimed to strengthen security collaboration and ensure the safety of Corps Members in the State.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Femi Osungbohun commended the Nigeria Police Force for its unwavering support in safeguarding Corp Members, particularly through their deployment to Orientation Camp and swift responses to security incidents. He highlighted the invaluable role of the Police in protecting Corp Members.
He further appealed for increased security presence at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Asaya, emphasizing the growing concerns over insecurity in the region. He called on the Police Command to strengthen patrols around the camp.
He added that the safety of Corps Members remains our collective concerns. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices of the Police Force in securing them. However, given the current security challenges, we seek even more collaboration to prevent any unfortunate incidents.
In his response, CP Dantawaye reassured the NYSC of the Command’s dedication to ensuring the safety of all Corps Members serving in Kogi State. He acknowledged the crucial role Corps Members play in community development, while pledging continued support to the NYSC in Kogi State.
He further underscores the importance of Corps Members in Nation-building. He assured that the security of Corp Members is the Command priority, and we will continue to work closely with the NYSC to ensure they serve in a safe and conducive environment.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate posting of 7 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to various strategic offices and the posting of 18 Commissioners of Police (CPs) due for AIG ranks, pending the approval from the Police Service Commission (PSC), to AIG offices nationwide. This comprehensive redeployment of senior officers is geared at effectively repositioning the force with a view to discharging its duties as expected.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made available to newsmen on Thursday, said the newly posted AIGs include AIG Margaret Ochalla, now heading AIG FCID Annex, Lagos; AIG Abayomi Peter Oladipo, assigned to AIG Zone 13, Ukpo; AIG Fred Ekokotu, who will oversee AIG Zone 11, Osogbo; AIG Iwo Nemi Edwin Osigboka, now in charge of AIG Border Patrol Force, Force Headquarters, Abuja; AIG Garba Ahmed, taking on the role of AIG Department of Training and Development (DTD), Force Headquarters, Abuja; AIG Salman Dogo, assigned to AIG Zone 5, Benin; and AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, now responsible for AIG Zone 9, Umuahia.
Concurrently, 18 CPs acting in the capacity of AIGs, pending the approval of the PSC, have also been posted to various strategic offices. CP Patrick Adedeji Atayero has been posted to Commandant, Police Academy, Kano; CP Tolani Alausa to AIG Zone 16, Yenagoa; CP Musibau Ajani to AIG Zone 17, Akure; CP Mobolaji Victor Olaiya to AIG DICT, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Laolu Adegbite, MFR, to AIG Interpol, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Clement Robert to AIG Community Policing, Research & Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Gyongon Augustine Grimah to AIG Zone 10, Sokoto; CP Thomas Abraham Nabhon to AIG ONSA; CP Musa Auwal Mohammed to AIG Zone 3, Yola; CP Mohammed Shehu Dalijan to AIG CTU, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Olatunji Disu to AIG SPU, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu to AIG Zone 12, Bauchi; CP Fasuba Akinyele to AIG Investment, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Musa Kareem to AIG Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos; CP Chukwudi Chris Ariekpere to AIG FCID Annex, Enugu; CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa to AIG Zone 14, Katsina; CP Godwin I. Eze to AIG DFA, Force Headquarters, Abuja; and CP Abel J. Zwalchir Miri to AIG Communications, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The Inspector-General of Police has charged all officers affected by these strategic postings to embrace their new responsibilities with utmost dedication and justify their confidence through exemplary service. The IGP urges the new senior officers to ensure strict supervision and diligence in the discharge of their lawful duties and further encourages them to key into the ongoing police reform. These deployments are integral to the ongoing revitalization of the Nigeria Police Force, and the IGP is confident that they will contribute significantly to enhanced security and improved service delivery across the nation.
Security
Nigerian Coast Guard: Citizens warned against extortion as passage of bill is being awaited
The Provisionary Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, PC-NCG has warned the general public against extortion in guise of recruitment or enrolment as anyone parading himself as promoter of the Nigerian Coast Guard other than Captain Noah Ichaba is an impostor and a dupe.
In a statement made available to CAPITAL POST on Wednesday, said, this information has become necessary in view of a publication in Vanguard Online of 8thMarch 2025, titled “Coordinator of provisional Nigerian Coast Guard appeals to NASS for bill passage”.
Captain Ichaba urged the public to disregard the information as it is only the PC-NCG that has the right to issue a statement updating Nigerians as the bill awaiting legislative attention would soon be passed into law by the 10th National Assembly.
Part of the statement said: “We respectfully invite the attention of patriotic, impartial and ready to act relevant authorities, misled groups, authentic stakeholders and members of the general public, to note that, the stories regarding the purported acceptance of some Registered Private Maritime Security Groups into the Nigerian Coast Guard, were nothing, but, a brazen criminal impersonation, and a contemptuous cover-up and an act meant to ridicule law enforcement agents and a provocative invitation to acrimonious conflicts.
“Some other persons are ingloriously parading themselves making weird claims without substance, but with the motive to hoodwink the intelligence of members of the general public and the desperate job seekers, whom they are ready to “dagbo”, in the name of recruitment into a non-existing job or organization, and a non-certification training of no value.
“This fraudulent practice, which they have carried out over the years, and which has led to the death of many of their victims or that has fostered disaffection and separation in some families, would not be encouraged to continue with use of the provisional operation platform of the Nigerian Coast Guard.
“While the Facilitation Team of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard is genuinely concerned with national interest and the future of the unborn Nigerians, these immediate economic package seekers have prided themselves in hot campaign of calumny against PC-NCG.
“This is an evidence that they are persons suffering from last-card hallucination and stressful financial disorder.
“Due to that, they want to make the money and ego by hook or crook. As a result, those they succeed in deceiving becomes their caged victims, with a mirage expectation.
“Their countless but cruel illegalities tumble over one another. The extent of cajoling Registered Private Maritime Security Outfits into a never to work marriage of deception shows the degree of disregard for boundaries. Enough of that imposturous and subversive stance. Enough of mediocrity and underhandedness.
“Enough of the unprovable claim and utter falsehood. These realities have been brought to the fore to evoke appropriate action by relevant authorities, stakeholders, private maritime security practitioners and members of the public, as these are not synonymous with the ideals of selflessly and patriotically pursuing a legitimate cause of facilitating the legal existence of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard.
“Immediate AIP on appropriate burdens be followed. No two ways about it.
“These realities have been brought to the fore to evoke appropriate action as his sordid actions were not synonymous with the ideals of selflessly and patriotically pursuing a legitimate cause.
“He has succeeded in exposing himself for immediate AIP on criminal charges. No two ways about it.”
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