The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its position that it will not negotiate with criminal groups responsible for a recent wave of kidnappings across the state. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s morning programme, The Morning Brief, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the state has the capacity to confront and defeat those behind the growing insecurity.
Over the past few weeks, Kogi has witnessed a rise in attacks, especially in its Yagba East and Yagba West local government areas. The state, like many parts of the North-Central region, has been battling criminal gangs involved in kidnapping, banditry, and violent raids on rural communities.
The latest wave of violence has caused fear among residents and placed more pressure on security agencies. Last week, armed bandits carried out two separate kidnappings in Yagba East Local Government Area. The victims were taken from different communities, sparking panic among locals. Security operatives later rescued five victims, although details of how the rescue was carried out have not been made public.
But barely days after that incident, another kidnapping took place in Yagba West. During a Sunday church service, a pastor and his wife were abducted by gunmen who stormed the worship centre. The attack has further shaken the community, coming at a time when religious centres across the country are becoming targets for criminals.
Kogi is not alone in this challenge. Many parts of the North-Central zone, including Niger, Benue, and Plateau states, have seen similar increases in bandit attacks. Security experts say criminal groups are now moving into new territories as government forces intensify operations in the North-West and some northern forest regions.
In his interview, Fanwo said Governor Usman Ododo’s administration has adopted a clear and firm position on how to deal with criminal groups.
“In Kogi State, we don’t negotiate,” he said. “The governor has made it clear that he will not bow to any criminal. We have the capacity to take them out, we have the capacity to deal with the situation, so we are not going to negotiate with any of them.”
Fanwo said the state government believes that negotiating with criminals would only encourage them to stage more attacks. He emphasised that strong action is the only approach that can discourage bandit groups from seeing Kogi as an easy target.
According to the commissioner, the state’s security agencies have been instructed to use every legal means to pursue and neutralise criminal groups operating within the state.
Fanwo acknowledged that the ongoing confrontations between security agencies and kidnappers have not been without losses. He said two people died during an exchange of gunfire between operatives and kidnappers in one of the recent rescue operations.
“We regret that in the exchange of fire between the kidnappers and security agencies, two people lost their lives. But many of the criminals now know that Kogi is a no-go area for them,” he said.
The commissioner did not provide further details about the victims, but community members say such casualties often occur when bandits and security forces clash in areas where civilians are present.
Despite the tragic losses, Fanwo insisted that the government would continue with its strong approach to fighting crime, stressing that criminals must not be allowed to control communities or create fear among residents.
Fanwo said the Kogi State Government is investing in intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration with security agencies, and community policing to tackle the problem. He added that the government’s priority is to ensure that residents feel safe and are able to go about their daily activities without fear.
“Kogi State will continue to deploy all available security resources to confront and neutralize criminal elements,” he said.
In recent years, the state has gained a reputation for responding aggressively to security threats. Under former governor Yahaya Bello, Kogi launched several security operations involving local vigilante groups and federal agencies. While this approach helped reduce crime in some areas, critics said the gains were not sustained, leading to the resurgence being witnessed today.
Governor Ododo, who assumed office in January 2024, has promised to build on those earlier efforts while adopting a more coordinated and technology-driven strategy.
Despite government assurances, residents in the affected communities say they remain anxious. Many rural dwellers have stopped travelling at night, while others avoid certain roads known to be dangerous. Farmers, especially in Yagba and Kabba-Bunu areas, say they are now afraid to go to their farms early in the morning or return late.
Churches and mosques have also increased security around their premises following the recent abduction of the pastor and his wife. Religious leaders say they hope the government will act fast before criminals begin to target more worship centres.
Local youth groups have called on the state government to deploy more security personnel to border communities between Kogi and Kwara states, which they say are now being used as escape routes by kidnappers.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of Nigeria’s most widespread security challenges. The problem, which began with isolated cases in the early 2000s, has grown into a national crisis affecting nearly every part of the country. Criminal groups now target schools, motorists, worship centres, and entire villages.
The Federal Government has repeatedly warned states against negotiating with kidnappers, saying such actions strengthen criminal networks by giving them funds and publicity. Kogi’s hard-line stance reflects this national policy, though some critics believe that refusing negotiation sometimes puts victims at greater risk.
