From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello has warned that anybody who foments trouble or promote violence before and during the next year general election will be ruthlessly dealt with no matter how highly placed.
The governor gave the warning on Monday at the government house lokoja when the Inspector – General of Police, Usman Alkali paid him a courtesy call.
The governor who said he inherited a violent – proned state where bank robberies, kidnappings, robberies and herders/ farmers clashes were the order of the day when he was sworn in 2016, said he has been able to tackle insecurity headlong and the state is now regarded as one of the peaceful states in the country.
He therefore said, his administration will never tolerate anybody or group of people hiding under any guise to cause break down of law and order stressing that the general election must be peaceful and orderly.
While appreciating the police and other security agencies including the state Vigilante group for their efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and property, he reiterated his commitment to continue to provide moral and logistic supports to them to ensure the state remains peaceful.
In his short speech, the IGP said he was on a familiarization tour of the police state command and to inaugurate a police barrack in Kabba and also to lay the foundation for the building of a Mopol Squadron unit in the ancient town.
The Police boss commended governor Yahaya Bello for making kogi one of the most peaceful states in the country and urged other states to emulate him.
While saying the dividends of security can not be seen in terms of Naira and Kobo, he said his men and officers are working round the clock to ensure that crimes and criminalities are put to the barest minimum and urged Nigerians to continue to cooperate with them