Gov Ododo’s Battle Against Insecurity: The Making of a Civilian General

By Jacob Edi

Kogi State’s strategic location at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers makes it a vital link between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions.

But its extensive road networks, forests and rural communities also present security challenges that have made the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes a major concern.

Since assuming office in January 2024, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has placed security at the centre of his administration’s priorities, deploying government resources, strengthening collaboration among security agencies and supporting community-based security operations.

His approach has earned him the description of a civilian general—a leader seeking to mobilise the machinery of government against criminal elements threatening lives and livelihoods across the state.

However, the real test of this approach lies not merely in the scale of security investments or the number of arrests recorded, but in the ability of residents to live, work and travel without fear.

The Governor Ododo administration began taking steps to reinforce the state’s security framework shortly after assuming office.

In April 2024, it introduced the Metropolitan Quick Response initiative to improve intelligence gathering and enhance responses to security threats.

The abduction of students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, in May 2024, however, exposed the urgency of the challenge confronting the state.

The incident triggered coordinated rescue operations involving security agencies, local hunters and other partners.

The government subsequently distributed security equipment to 1,050 hunters in July 2024 and announced plans to provide 100 operational vehicles to security agencies in October of the same year.

These interventions reflected the administration’s recognition that confronting criminal networks requires more than political declarations.

Security personnel need adequate equipment, reliable intelligence, mobility and effective coordination, particularly when operating in forested areas and remote communities.

The support extended to local hunters also underscores the importance of community participation in the fight against crime.

Their familiarity with local terrain and settlements can complement the training and operational capabilities of conventional security agencies.

Beyond the provision of equipment, the administration has reported arrests of suspected kidnappers, rescue of abducted persons and operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks.

In June 2025, security agencies reportedly arrested 26 suspects during an operation around Bunu Forest in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.

More recently, security operations in Dekina Local Government Area reportedly resulted in the rescue of abducted persons, including 21 victims by the end of August 2026.

Such operations highlight the need for sustained pressure on criminal groups, particularly those operating across difficult terrain and exploiting the vulnerabilities of rural communities.

The effectiveness of these efforts, however, depends on more than isolated operations. Intelligence must be gathered and acted upon promptly, security agencies must share relevant information, and rescued victims must receive appropriate support.

Equally important is the prosecution of suspects where evidence establishes criminal responsibility. Successful prosecutions can help ensure that arrests translate into justice and that criminal networks are dismantled in accordance with the law.

Governor Ododo has maintained that his administration will not negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom to criminals.

The position signals the government’s determination not to allow criminal groups to dictate the terms of public safety.

The description of Governor Ododo as a civilian general captures the image of a governor seeking to coordinate government resources and security institutions in a determined campaign against criminality. It does not confer military status on him.

More importantly, the title carries expectations that must be matched by measurable results.

Kogi’s strategic position means that insecurity within its borders has implications beyond the state. Its roads serve travellers and businesses moving between different parts of the country, while disruptions to farming and commerce can affect livelihoods and economic activity.

Sustained improvements in security would therefore benefit residents and other Nigerians who depend on the state’s transport corridors.

Ultimately, the success of Governor Ododo’s security strategy will not be determined by the number of vehicles procured, equipment distributed or arrests announced. It will be measured by safer roads, accessible farmlands, secure schools, thriving businesses and communities freed from the fear of kidnapping.

For a governor described as a civilian general, the mission is clear: to turn security interventions into lasting peace and ensure that fear does not become a permanent feature of life in Kogi State.