FIC Report (Kogi State) – Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of kogi state on Wednesday launched Quick Response Unit, QRU, a Smart Policing Initiative for Efficient response to crime, save lives, combat crimes and secure communities.
Unveiling the initiative in Lokoja, Ododo restated the commitment of his administration to decisively deal with criminals in the state.
The governor who assured that QRU is to strengthen the security agencies to be combat ready, described QRU as comprising a well equipped state-of-the-art operational office for quick response with a blend of kinetic security force and the state driven security outfit.
He said:” I watched from a very close view, the kinetic battles to keep Kogi State safe from the hands of criminals, I am not here to try, I am not here to send condolences to victims of kidnapping, I am here to defeat criminality.
“I am here to win the war and battle, it is my responsibility to keep you safe, I will not give excuses.”
He urged the people of the state to support the security agencies to enable them do their job, adding that the response unit represents an investment, built and equipped with their tax to keep criminals at bay.
The governor who.expressed his administration’s continued commitment to pay deep attention to community-led security architecture, cautioned the people to be vigilant of strange persons, and report them to security agencies for investigation.
Ododo vowed to go hard on kidnappers and their informants, adding that he would continue to ” collaborate and synergise with all security agencies to ensure that “Kogi is free from crime and criminality.”
In April, this year,Governor Ododo launched Metropolitan Quick Response, during which he expressed determination to deal with the criminals in the state.
He said that his administration has systematically built a security architecture, localised with vigilantes and hunters who are well trained to combat any threat to peace and security of Kogi people.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP. Bethrand Onuaha, in his speech,commended Governor Ododo for showcasing his commitment to the security of the state.
Emphasizing that security is the bedrock of any meaningful development, CP Onuoha urged the personnel of Quick Response Unit to sustain the tempo in fighting all types of crime and criminality.
The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omadara, said QRU represents landmark achievement of the state government in combating crime and criminality in the state.
According to him, the unit is conceived and built in less than four months, adding that the initiative is an acknowledgment of Ododo’s administration feat in security sector which distributed 105 vehicles to 1,050, well trained and equipped the vigilantes to tackle insecurity recently.
Omodara, who noted that youths commit over comm75 per cent of crimes, said youths are being positively engaged in order not to be distracted.
According to him, the initiative is a tactical outfit started under former Commissioner of Police in the state, CP. Ayuba Ede, to combat armed robbery, kidnapping, rape among others in the state.
Maryam Abubakar Gulma
ACIPRO
Federal Information Centre, Lokoja
