Kogi Guber: Security Agencies Well Prepared for Poll

Commander Jerry Omodara, State Security Adviser to the Government of Kogi State has assured citizens and residents of the State of high-level preparedness of security agencies ahead of the coming off-cycle gubernatorial election scheduled for 11th of November.

Cmdr Omodara disclosed this during a radio discussion programme in Lokoja on Wednesday. The programme titled “Issues” hosted the Security chief to address likely security concerns as the electorate decide who occupies the Lugard House after the tenure of the incumbent Governor, Yahaya Bello.

The security Advisor further disclosed that the government of the State is committed to ensuring safety and security of lives and properties of citizens and residents regardless of political affiliations.

Speaking on the backdrop of a clash that nearly broke out over a campaign venue, Omodara revealed that it was through his intervention and collaboration of the Nigerian Police that the conflict was averted, adding that there were many more interventions his office had made in this electioneering period to uphold peace and safety of all.

He cautioned politicians and their political parties to adhere to the electoral guidelines in carrying out their campaigns both before and during election.

According to him, perpetrators of violence in the state must be brought to book as nobody is above the law. Citing the case of a young girl that was killed in Kotokarfe recently, Omodara wondered why perpetrators were yet to be invited for questioning by relevant authorities. He said it was a clear case where uniformed men accompanying a politician fired and killed an innocent girl. He said that such a individual should simply be invited as, according him, it was a clear case of homicide.

Omodara called for a warrant of arrest to be issued on the perpetrators. “Where you have 18 political parties contesting and only one is complaining of violence, that party should be investigated by the security agencies”, Omodara said.

Also on the panel was Dr Hale Gabriel Longpet, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kogi State and the representative of the Commissioner of Police, SP Aya, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO.

Dr Longpet assured residents of the State of INEC’s preparedness and its collaboration with security agencies in the state even as the political cloud thickens.

SP Aya further stated that all hands were on deck toward ensuring a seamless and violence free gubernatorial election come November 11th.

Cmdr Omodara commended INEC for the level of engagements and facilitation of capacity building trainings for stakeholders in the state and urged voters to go out and vote without fear or intimidation.

compiled By Opeyemi Ologun