Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has declared that his administration would not negotiate with criminals, vowing instead to confront and crush all threats to peace.

This is as Vice President Kashim Shettima warned that entrenched forces were actively sabotaging efforts to stabilise Nigeria.

They spoke at the Kogi State Security Summit and Fundraising in Abuja yesterday, where stakeholders from government and the private sector pledged billions of naira to support the state’s Security Trust Fund initiative aimed at raising N500 billion.

Governor Ododo stressed that his administration would enforce zero tolerance for criminality, insisting that the era of appeasement had ended.

“I will not negotiate with criminals. I was not elected to pamper enemies of our peace. Those who choose crime must be ready to face the full weight of the law,” he declared.

He stressed that security remains the bedrock of development, noting that no meaningful investment or economic growth can thrive in an atmosphere of fear and instability.

The governor highlighted the changing dynamics of crime, including kidnapping, terrorism and cyber threats, which he said require modern, intelligence-driven responses.

He disclosed that his administration had invested in surveillance systems, communication equipment and operational logistics to strengthen security agencies, while also supporting local vigilantes.

However, Ododo acknowledged that government alone cannot address the challenge, urging private sector players and citizens to contribute to the Security Trust Fund.

“Security is a collective responsibility. What we are building is not just a fund, but a sustainable framework for peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.

Speaking through the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, Shettima said Nigeria faces a complex web of security challenges driven by “agents of chaos and profiteers of conflict” who thrive on instability.

He cautioned that such elements remain determined to frustrate the peace-building efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“We cannot afford complacency. The enemies of peace are organised, deliberate and adaptive. They are always lurking in the shadows to sabotage every effort to restore order and secure lives and livelihoods,” he said.

The Vice President noted that the federal government was deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to address insecurity, including strengthening intelligence, enhancing inter-agency collaboration and investing in long-term stability.

He commended the Kogi State Government for taking proactive steps, describing the summit as a timely intervention given the state’s strategic position as a gateway linking northern and southern Nigeria. “Kogi’s location is both a blessing and a responsibility. It must anticipate risks beyond its borders and organise responses with clarity and resolve,” he added.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, underscored the link between security and development, warning that military solutions alone cannot end insecurity.

“Without peace, there will be no security, and without security, there will be no development,” he said.

Drawing from Borno’s experience, Zulum revealed that the state had reduced insurgency by over 90 per cent through a combination of security operations and socio-economic interventions.

He urged governments to prioritise job creation, education, infrastructure and poverty reduction as part of a holistic approach to tackling insecurity.

“Increasing poverty, illiteracy and infrastructural deficits are major drivers of insecurity. Addressing them is critical to achieving lasting peace,” he said.

Earlier, a security expert from the University of Abuja, Dr. Ayuba Oche, emphasised the strategic importance of Kogi State, warning that insecurity in the state could have ripple effects across the country.

He called for stronger public-private partnerships, noting that security funding requires substantial resources beyond government capacity.

The fundraising segment of the event saw significant pledges from key stakeholders.

Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who served as Chief Launcher, donated N500 million and pledged 10 operational vehicles, 20 drones and additional logistics.

The Dangote Group also contributed N250 million and promised further support in equipment and logistics.

In addition, seven governors, either present or represented, pledged N100 million each, while several corporate organisations operating in Kogi State made financial commitments running into billions of naira.

The summit is expected to produce actionable outcomes, including the establishment of security logistics bases across the state’s three senatorial districts to enhance rapid response capabilities.

Participants expressed optimism that the initiative would not only strengthen security in Kogi State but also serve as a model for other states seeking sustainable solutions through collaboration between government, private sector and communities. (The Sun)