Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Tuesday attributed the recent upsurge in the activities of bandits and kidnappers in some parts of the country to compromises by some individuals in their various communities.
Governor Bello made the disclosure while speaking in Lokoja during the 2021 International Peace Day celebration with the theme, “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”.
The celebration was which
is in pursuance of the System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) project was organized by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development, (PIBCID) funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
Governor Bello, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development Mr Idris Musa, assured that his administration will not allow Kogi State to be a breeding place for criminal elements.
Bello, who rolled out his achievements that is making Kogi State as the most peaceful state in Nigeria explained that peace remains a panacea for national development.
Bello, who was represented by the Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development Mr Idris Musa appreciated ActionAid and PIBCID for their roles in the state in promoting peace stressing that his administration remains committed towards protecting lives and properties of the citizens.
”My achievements in terms of security in this country is second to none in this country. Our people have continued to sleep with their two eyes closed.
“No doubt kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry is now business in some parts of the country, just because some people in their communities have compromised and they are not willing to fish out this bad eggs from their vicinity” he said.
Earlier, ActionAid Nigeria County Director Mrs Ene Obi who was represented by Adewale Adeduntan, Social Mobilization Manager, ActionAid Nigeria, admonished Kogi State Government to sustain the gains they have recorded in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.
In her remarks, the Executive Director Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development, (PIBCID), Halima Oiza Sadiq admonished youths in the state to show love and shun violence.
