The Governor of Nigeria’s Kogi State has ordered the immediate demolition of a local commercial facility, following intelligence reports that it was being used as a base for terrorist groups.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo led an early morning operation on Thursday to the “SAMBEL” facility in Okene, a major town in the central state, to oversee the start of the clearance.
The move marks a significant escalation in the state’s security policy, with the governor vowing that there will be “no safe haven” for criminals in the region.
‘No negotiation’
Speaking at the site, Governor Ododo said the decision to pull down the structure was a direct response to intelligence linking the area to criminal infiltration.
“We would not negotiate with bandits,” the governor declared, adding that security agencies had been given a “clear mandate” to dismantle any building across the state used to aid criminal activities.
The governor’s “no-nonsense” approach follows the introduction of sweeping emergency measures in December 2025. These laws allow the state government to seize and destroy property belonging to criminals or their sponsors without lengthy legal delays.
A strategic crossroads
Kogi State is often referred to as Nigeria’s “Confluence State” because it links the country’s north to the south. Its strategic position makes it a vital transport hub, but also a target for kidnapping gangs and insurgent groups seeking to move across the country.
The governor urged local residents to support the crackdown by sharing information with the authorities. “Security is a collective responsibility,” he said, noting that progress can only be achieved if citizens actively report suspicious movements.
The demolition is part of a broader “onslaught” against violent crime in the state, which has seen an increase in military and police patrols since the beginning of the year.
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