Govt. donates 10 pick-up vans, 260 motorcycles to Kogi vigilante

Kogi State Government has presented 10 pick-up vans and 260 motorcycles to the state vigilante service to strengthen security in the state.

The Director -General, Media and Strategy to the governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement in Lokoja on Friday,

He said that the Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi made the presentation to the vigilante group on Friday in Lokoja.

Bello said at the event that the vehicles were to further strengthen the service to deliver on its mandate.

According to him, the action shows the total commitment of the state government to peaceful coexistence and safety of the people of the state.

The State Security Adviser, Navy Cmdr Jerry Omodara (Rtd.), who represented the governor at the event, said government was satisfied with the returns on its huge investment in security since the assumption of office.

“The significant improvement in security witnessed in the last 14 months in the state was a testimony to the considerable investment the new direction government has made in the sector."

“The development of the state will be built on a firm foundation of peace and security,” he said.

According to him, one motorcycle will go to each of the wards in the state, while the Commanders at the local government level will get an extra motorcycle each.

“This is to enhance community policing, which we believe is a vital part of our security architecture,” he explained.

The Commander, Kogi State Vigilante Service, Col. Hassan Aliyu (rtd), in his response, promised to ensure judicious use of the vehicles.

He said that they would be deployed appropriately, saying that it would enhance the operational mobility of operatives.

Aliyu reminded the governor that the service will ultimately need to recruit and train 3,000 able bodied men for effective policing of all the 21 local governments.