Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, has directed traditional rulers in the state to immediately identify and hand over those perpetrating crimes in their domains to government for prosecution.

Bello gave this directive on Wednesday in Kabba and Okene while unveiling government’s new initiative on community policing in response to the rising wave of crimes in the state.

He said that youths and herbalists were many among those arrested in connection with recent kidnappings, armed robberies and cultism in the state.

The governor stressed the need for traditional rulers to identify criminal elements in their domains for appropriate action.

Bello, who expressed concern on the security situation in the state, said that traditional rulers would be encouraged to take full responsibility for the security of their domains.

Represented by the Special Adviser on Security, Navy Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), Bello said that youths, hunters and vigilante groups would be incorporated into the new initiative.

According to him, traditional rulers would henceforth be required to provide information on the people and their movement in and out of their domains.

Bello also urged religious leaders in the state to key into the new initiative, urging them to monitor the movement of their adherents.

The governor also directed administrators in all the 21 council areas of the state to henceforth submit weekly reports to his office on the security situation of their respective councils.

He said the two main vigilante groups in the state would come together to form a formidable group and members would be trained and placed under the Police Command for proper coordination.

He warned the youth to stop indulging in crimes, saying that any of them caught in the act would be made to face the music.

“It is no longer business as usual, as far as crime is concerned, you better change or leave Kogi State. We are not going to accept it anymore, “ he said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulahi Chaffe, called for the cooperation and understanding of traditional rulers and youths in the area of information.

He said that police divisions in the state were ready to work with the new vigilante group being planned by the government, warning the public against offering his men bribe .

The state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Mr Evaristus Obialu, also urged traditional rulers and religious leaders to support the new security initiative.

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, expressed the support of the traditional rulers for government, warning those perpetrating crimes in the state to desist or face the law. (NAN)