Kogi Govt Sanctions Churches Violating Security Protocols
Kogi State Government has issued a stern warning to churches across the state over continued violations of the security protocol banning late religious activities as well as worship in vulnerable places without security cover and clearance.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lokoja cited credible intelligence of planned attacks by bandits.
Fanwo said that security intelligence at the disposal of the government revealed a plot by criminal elements to attack a church in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Commissioner, intercepted conversations among the bandits indicated that the targeted church had continued to operate late into the night, making it vulnerable to attack.
The criminals were reportedly heard boasting that they would make “a lot of money” through ransom by kidnapping worshippers during the service.
Fanwo said that although coordinated security measures have since been activated to avert the planned attack, the development has reinforced the need for strict compliance with the state’s preventive security directives.
“We have observed with deep concern that despite clear security advisories, some churches still operate late into the night. This is unacceptable in the face of prevailing security challenges”, he said.
He reiterated that no church is permitted to operate beyond 4:00 pm, stressing that churches located in isolated or bushy environments must immediately seek safer alternatives in the interest of their members.
The Commissioner warned that any church found violating the security protocol would face sanctions, noting that such actions expose worshippers to grave danger.
“This decision is not targeted at faith or worship. It is a safety-first approach designed to protect lives. Any church that deliberately disregards this protocol constitutes a security risk to its members”, Fanwo added.
He further urged security operatives across the state to stop pastors from fixing or conducting night services, emphasizing that the government’s priority is crime prevention rather than emergency response after lives have been endangered.
The Government called on religious leaders to cooperate fully with security agencies and align with the safety directives, assuring residents of its commitment to safeguarding lives and sustaining peace.
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army 12 Brigade have overrun a notorious terrorists’ enclave and recovered a massive cache of arms and ammunition.
The success was recorded through a coordinated counter-terrorism operation that dismantled a camp linked to terrorist kingpins, Kachalla Ibrahim and Shu’aibu, perpetrating criminal activities across parts of the state.
The operation, led by Brig.- Gen Kasim Umar Sidi, resulted in the recovery of over 2,000 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition and a box of high-velocity grenades.
Troops of the 12 Brigade were said to have, after securing the enclave, completely destroyed and set the camp ablaze, effectively denying the terrorists the opportunity to reoccupy or reuse the location as a staging ground for further attacks.
The State Security Adviser, Cmdr Jerry Omodara, commended the gallantry and professionalism of the Nigerian Military, describing the intervention as timely and courageous.
Also confirming the development, Fanwo said the State Government is working closely with security agencies in executing the on-going clearance operations across the state.
He added that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remains resolute and determined to end criminality in Kogi State through a combination of aggressive security action and preventive measures aimed at protecting lives and property.
