Kogi

By Umar Idris Shuaibu  The Kogi State Government has inaugurated a fully equipped Police Force Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in Lokoja as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and enhance the protection of lives and property across the state. Speaking during the inauguration on Thursday, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, described security as a fundamental pillar of his administration, stressing that sustainable development can only thrive in a peaceful and secure environment. The Governor noted that despite operating from a shared facility in the past, the VCRU had played a significant role in combating violent crimes across the state. He said the increasing responsibilities of the Unit informed the government’s decision to construct and equip a modern operational headquarters to improve its effectiveness. According to him, the facility, fully funded by the Kogi State Government, comprises 10 offices, detention cells, a conference room, a control room, and a dedicated power supply system to ensure uninterrupted operations. Read Also: Quality is essential for national development, Ganduje declares at ARSO launch Kogi Police Commissioner Kankarofi, NBA Lokoja Strengthen Partnership on Justice Delivery Tinubu Commends Navy’s 70 Years of Service, Commissions Three New Vessels Ododo further disclosed that the government had provided the Unit with four Toyota Hilux operational vehicles, one Bullet-Proof Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carrier, and three Toyota Sienna vehicles to strengthen its operational capacity and rapid response capabilities. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising national security and supporting security agencies across the country, noting that such efforts have contributed significantly to improving public safety. The Governor also pledged continued support for the Nigeria Police Force in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu. He revealed that his administration has invested heavily in security through the provision of operational vehicles, communication gadgets, renovation of police formations, repair of armoured personnel carriers, refurbishment of patrol vehicles, and welfare support for security personnel. Charging officers of the VCRU to uphold professionalism, integrity, and courage in the discharge of their duties, Ododo assured the Nigeria Police Force of his administration’s continued partnership in securing Kogi State. He expressed confidence that the newly commissioned facility and operational assets would significantly enhance the Unit’s ability to prevent and respond swiftly to violent crimes across the state. Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, described the inauguration of the facility as a major boost to the state’s security architecture. He explained that the VCRU was established in line with the reform-driven policing agenda of the Inspector-General of Police to address emerging security challenges such as kidnapping, banditry, highway attacks, and other violent crimes through intelligence-led operations and rapid response mechanisms. According to him, officers deployed to the Unit underwent rigorous screening and professional assessment to ensure that only competent and disciplined personnel were selected. The Police Commissioner commended Governor Ododo for his sustained support to security agencies, particularly the provision of the facility and operational logistics that made the Unit fully functional. He assured residents that the VCRU would operate professionally, respect human rights, and collaborate closely with other security agencies and community stakeholders in promoting public safety. Kankarofi also called on residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, emphasising that security remains a collective responsibility. In his goodwill message, the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, said the government had recorded significant successes in its fight against insecurity. He assured residents that criminal elements operating within the state would continue to face sustained pressure from security agencies, adding that their activities would soon be completely curtailed. Omodara commended the Kogi State Police Command and other security agencies for their continued cooperation with the state government in maintaining peace, security, and stability across Kogi State. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing the necessary support and resources required by security agencies to effectively safeguard lives and property throughout the state.

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed receiving credible intelligence on a planned protest scheduled to take place in Lokoja on the 27th of this month. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed this in a statement, noting that while the command respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression, such rights must be exercised within the ambit of the law. The statement added that the command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has advised all individuals and groups intending to participate in the protest to report to the command headquarters in Lokoja for proper identification and engagement. According to the police, the measure is aimed at identifying genuine organisers and participants, preventing the protest from being hijacked by criminal elements, and enabling adequate security planning for a peaceful exercise. Read Also: Kano Declares Second Term Holiday for Schools The command further directed organisers to provide details of the protest, including the proposed route, duration, and nature of activities, to facilitate effective security deployment. It warned that any protest that degenerates into violence, unlawful assembly, or obstruction of public highways would not be tolerated, stressing that offenders would be dealt with in accordance with the law. The Commissioner of Police urged stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and maintain peace, reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. Residents were also advised to remain law-abiding and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.

The Nigeria Police Force has foiled an attempted attack on the Obajana Operational Base in Kogi State and arrested several suspected criminal elements. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, CSP William Ovye Aya. According to the statement, the attempted attack followed a major clearance and aggressive operation carried out by the Nigeria Police Force on January 10, 2026, across identified flashpoints, hideouts and assembly points frequented by bandits and other criminal elements within the state. The operation, which was supported by the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing through precision airstrikes, recorded significant successes and is believed to have triggered a retaliation attempt by sleeper cells of the criminal groups. In a bid to strike back, the suspects attempted to attack police assets and facilities at the Obajana Operational Base. However, the attack was swiftly repelled as police operatives on duty conducted a coordinated counter-drill, effectively neutralising and degrading the assailants. Read Also: Kano Power Struggle Heats Up as Yusuf Reappears Without Kwankwaso Allies Police Nab 25-Year-Old Drug Suspect, Five Others in Kano NiMet Warns of Dust Haze and Reduced Visibility Across Regions The police disclosed that several suspects were arrested during the operation, many of whom sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries. Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend other fleeing suspects, as well as to unravel the source and motive behind the attempted attack on the operational base. Following the incident, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Operation in Kogi State, AIG Alonyenu F. Idu, alongside the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment. The AIG commended the officers and men for their bravery and professionalism, urging them to sustain their vigilance and commitment in the ongoing fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the state. The police reassured residents of Obajana and other parts of Kogi State that security operations would be intensified and sustained until all criminal syndicates are dismantled. Members of the public were urged to support law enforcement efforts by providing timely and useful information and reporting suspicious movements or persons to the nearest security agency.

Scores of bandits have been neutralized, their criminal networks dislodged, while others were flushed out of forests in Kogi State during ongoing joint security operations involving the police and the military. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, CSP William Ovye Aya, who said the operation was supported by the Nigeria Police Force Airwing through precision air strikes. According to the statement, the sustained onslaught against bandit activities is being carried out with vigour, commitment, and professionalism, yielding significant success in degrading criminal elements operating within the state. The police command noted that the coordinated ground and aerial operations forced several bandits to flee their hideouts, while many were neutralized in the process. Read Also: Former APC National Chairman Ganduje Back in Nigeria After Dubai Vacation Wike to Critics: Only Tinubu Can Sack Me APC Eyes Control of 30 States as Governor Yusuf’s Possible Defection Redraws Kano Politics The command also urged members of the public to be vigilant and report anyone seen with bullet wounds, injuries, or suspicious behaviour to the nearest police station, stressing that such information could aid ongoing operations. Residents were further encouraged to support security agencies with credible intelligence on the movement or presence of criminal elements in their communities, noting that security is a collective responsibility. The police provided emergency contact numbers for the public to report suspicious activities: 07038329084 and 08152195982.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, on Wednesday received the executive members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lokoja Branch, in a meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration between the police and the legal community. The visit, held at the State Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja, focused on enhancing justice delivery, promoting the rule of law, and ensuring greater public safety across the state. CP Kankarofi described synergy between the Police and the Bar as essential to effective criminal justice administration. He pledged continued transparency, professionalism, and a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct within the command. He further encouraged the NBA to carry out periodic visits to detention facilities to assess conditions and support accountability. Read Also: CP Kankarofi Leads Patrol to Boost Security in Kogi He noted that closer cooperation, especially in information sharing, would help prevent crime and improve overall policing outcomes. In his remarks, the Chairman of the NBA Lokoja Branch, AS Abbas Esq., commended the Police Command for its sustained efforts in combating crime and insecurity in the state. He underscored the importance of collaboration between the NBA Human Rights Committee and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the command. Abbas assured that the NBA remains committed to supporting the police in ensuring smooth administration of justice and protecting the rights of citizens. The engagement is regarded as a significant step toward deepening institutional cooperation and promoting a safer, more just society in Kogi State.

Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, led a high-level confidence-building patrol along the Obajana–Kabba–Ayere road to reassure residents and commuters of their safety. The patrol was part of the Command’s proactive strategies to strengthen security presence, deter criminal activities, and boost public confidence. The patrol, conducted in company of the Kogi State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara (Rtd), is part of the Command’s efforts to respond swiftly to emerging threats and improve community engagement. A statement issued by the Police spokesperson, CSP William Ovye Aya, said CP Kankarofi told newsmen that the initiative reflects the Command’s commitment to responding swiftly to emerging threats and improving community engagement. CP Kankarofi stated that the patrol was designed to enhance visibility policing, motivate operatives on the field, and send a clear message that security agencies remain alert and responsive. “We are out here to reassure the good people of Kogi State that their safety remains our utmost priority. This exercise is part of our continuous efforts to ensure that residents, travellers, and business owners along this corridor feel protected,” the Commissioner stated. Read Also: Kogi CP Convenes Strategic Security Meeting, Seeks Stronger Synergy With LG Chairmen, Security Agencies The State Security Adviser, Commodore Omodara, commended the Commissioner of Police for the initiative, describing it as timely and strategic. He said the patrol would further bolster existing security arrangements and boost the morale of officers deployed to the area. “This is a commendable step by the CP. Such field engagements motivate personnel, strengthen coordination, and demonstrate the seriousness of the Command in keeping Kogi State safe,” Omodara said. The State Police Command affirmed that it will continue to intensify similar patrols across strategic routes and communities to maintain peace, law, and order.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, on Tuesday held a high-level strategic security meeting with Local Government Chairmen and heads of security agencies as part of renewed efforts to strengthen peace and safety across the state. This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Ovye Aya. Speaking during the meeting held at the Command Headquarters Conference Hall in Lokoja, CP Kankarofi commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his sustained commitment to securing the state. He also appreciated security agencies and Local Government Chairmen for their roles in maintaining stability, stressing the need for deeper collaboration, intelligence sharing, and community partnership. He noted that strengthening synergy among security stakeholders is crucial to addressing emerging threats, adding that the Command will intensify community policing initiatives to boost public trust and cooperation. Read Also: CP Kankarofi Visits Governor Ododo, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Security in Kogi The State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara (Rtd.), who delivered the keynote address, described synergy as the backbone of effective security management in Kogi. He praised the CP for initiating the strategic meeting and reaffirmed Governor Ododo’s commitment to supporting collaborative security efforts. Omodara also recommended that such strategic meetings be held quarterly to sustain operational momentum across all security formations. Those in attendance included the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Aletan Olumide Ebenezer; a representative of the Department of State Services, Mr. Peter Okon; the Commander General of the Kogi State Vigilante Service, Mr. Omeiza Sani; ALGON Chairman and Executive Chairman of Yagba West, Hon. Tosin Olokun; all 17 Local Government Chairmen; Area Commanders; Tactical Commanders; and Divisional Police Officers. Discussions during the meeting covered crime trends, emerging threats, operational challenges, and strategies to improve coordination. LG Chairmen gave situation reports from their respective areas, while security commanders provided operational insights and recommendations for improving field operations. In his closing remarks, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Christopher Bassey, commended participants for their commitment to safeguarding the state. He emphasized the importance of sustained vigilance, collaboration, and regular communication among security stakeholders. The Kogi State Police Command reaffirmed its readiness to continue working with all partners to maintain peace and enhance the safety of citizens.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, on Wednesday hosted a dinner in honor of participants of Course 34 of the National Defence College, who are currently on a study tour of the state. The event, held in Lokoja, aimed to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and promote synergy in tackling the security challenges facing Nigeria today. It was part of ongoing efforts to foster cooperation between different security agencies across the country. In his remarks, CP Kankarofi highlighted that the dinner demonstrated the Command’s dedication to fostering cordial relationships with sister security agencies, especially in areas such as knowledge-sharing and operational coordination. He emphasized the critical importance of unity and cooperation in addressing the complex and evolving security landscape in Nigeria. The National Defence College study tour brought together senior officers from various services and sectors to enhance their strategic understanding of Nigeria’s security environment and governance structures at the sub-national level. Read Also: Lt. A.M. Yerima: Young Navy Officer Rising to National Attention CP Naziru Kankarofi Leads On-The-Spot Assessment of Adogo Train Derailment Meet Rear Admiral Idi Abbas From Kano, Nigeria’s New Chief of Naval Staff Also in attendance were senior police officers, members of the NDC delegation, and other invited dignitaries.CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi is the 40th officer to lead the Kogi State Police Command, succeeding CP Miller G. Dantawaye, who has been redeployed to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command. This was confirmed in a statement released in Lokoja by CSP William Ovye Aya, Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command.A native of Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Kano State, CP Bello brings over 30 years of distinguished service to his new role. He began his career on June 10, 1994, when he joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police following his training at the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State. An accomplished and versatile officer, CP Bello holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Political Science (Combined Honours), a Bachelor of Laws (LLB, BL), and a Master of Laws (LLM). He is currently pursuing a Doctorate (PhD) in Law. Throughout his career, CP Bello has served in various command, operational, and administrative roles in multiple states. His previous assignments include Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Governor of Kwara State (1999–2003), Squadron Commander of the Police Mobile Force in Kano, Bauchi, and Rivers States, and Area Commander in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State (2019–2022). He has also held senior leadership positions at Zone 1 Headquarters in Kano and Zone 3 Headquarters in Yola.CP Bello is a graduate of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, having completed the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46/2024. His professional development includes numerous tactical and leadership training programs such as the Combat Operations Course, Tactical Leadership Course, and Strategic Command Course. Kankarofi is a member of several reputable associations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), and the National Institute of Police Studies (MNIPS). CSP William Aya described CP Bello as a disciplined, professional, and innovative officer whose effective crime-fighting strategies have resulted in improved security outcomes in his previous commands. He stated that CP Bello is well-positioned to build on the successes of his predecessor while introducing new initiatives to enhance policing and public safety in Kogi State.  

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has visited the site of a train derailment incident in Adogo, Kogi State. The visit took place on Sunday, November 9, 2025. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Ovye Aya, the police chief conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, met with officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and passengers who were stranded as a result of the incident. Read Also: CP Kankarofi Visits Governor Ododo, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Security in Kogi CP Kankarofi has deployed security personnel to safeguard lives and property, and has also overseen the evacuation of all passengers to Ajaokuta station. Additional security has been deployed to secure the derailed coaches. The police chief has reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the state, and has pledged to work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure the safety of citizens. The motive behind the visit was to assess the situation and ensure that adequate measures are put in place to prevent further incidents.