By Our Correspondent
Former Kogi State Commissioner for Rural Development and candidate for Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency, Hon. Daniel Oné Ejigbo, has called for urgent and coordinated security operations to end the wave of kidnappings allegedly ravaging Biraidu District and other communities in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi state.
Ejigbo, in a statement made available to our vsaid residents had been living in fear for weeks, with farmers reportedly unable to access their farmlands and families allegedly forced to pay ransoms for the release of abducted relatives.
Describing the situation as “totally unacceptable,” the former commissioner stressed that protecting lives and property remained the primary responsibility of government.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” Ejigbo said the situation in Biraidu raised serious concerns about the fulfilment of that constitutional responsibility.
“Today in Biraidu, that purpose is failing,” he said, lamenting that residents increasingly felt abandoned and were questioning the presence of government and effective security protection in their communities.
He said the worsening security situation required immediate intervention by the Kogi State Government and security agencies responsible for safeguarding lives and property in Dekina LGA.
Ejigbo urged the Kogi State Governor to deploy the full weight of the state’s security architecture to Biraidu and Dekina, including additional security personnel, improved logistics support for the local police division and strengthened assistance for local vigilantes.
He also called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Army to embark on coordinated bush-combing and rescue operations to secure the release of persons still in captivity and dismantle criminal hideouts across the area.
The former commissioner further appealed to the Dekina Local Government Authority to convene an emergency security stakeholders’ meeting involving traditional rulers, youth leaders and other community leaders in Biraidu.
According to him, such a meeting would help develop sustainable, community-based measures to tackle the persistent insecurity.
While urging residents to remain vigilant and united, Ejigbo encouraged them to provide timely and credible information to security agencies and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He also expressed solidarity with families whose loved ones had been abducted, assuring them of his concern and support.
“Your pain is my pain,” he said.
Ejigbo reiterated the urgency of decisive government action, declaring: “Enough is enough. Government must protect its citizens. Biraidu people deserve to live in peace on their own soil.”
