Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo on Thursday revealed that major bandit commanders have moved into the state in the past three days to escalate attacks, but vowed that security forces will take the battle straight to their hideouts.
The governor disclosed this after an emergency security meeting with service commanders and traditional rulers at the Government House, Lokoja.
“The major commanders of the bandits have relocated to Kogi State in the last three days but we will not wait for them to fight us; we will take the fight to them,” Ododo told journalists.
“We are not going to bow to the criminals, we are not going to negotiate with them; we are not going to pay ransom.”
To curb night movement, the State Security Council ordered that all public events — religious or social — must end by 4 pm daily until further notice, warning that any event centre that flouts the order will be demolished.
Earlier on Thursday, panic had gripped Lokoja following viral social media rumours of an imminent bandit attack around Kogi State Polytechnic and other parts of the capital.
The rumour caused temporary shutdown of markets and schools in areas like Zango, Crusher and Felele.
Government quickly moved to calm nerves, with Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo describing the reports as “satanic panic” spread by mischief makers.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ayo Edun also urged residents to stop spreading unverified information and use official security hotlines for genuine alerts.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM Tijani Anaje, who spoke for traditional rulers, promised full support for government efforts and warned against fake videos and messages fuelling tension.
Governor Ododo stressed that protecting lives remains top priority, insisting that no part of Kogi will be surrendered to criminals.
