Kogi State Government has proposed the institutionalisation of a North-Central Joint Border Security Coordination framework, involving neighbouring states, the Armed Forces, the Police, the DSS, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and community-based security structures, to tackle cross-border criminality in the zone.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo made the proposal in his address at the North Central Zonal Security Summit 2026, held at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, Benue State.
The summit was organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central.
Governor Ododo’s address was delivered by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), who led a high-powered Kogi delegation of security chiefs, traditional rulers and political office holders to the summit.
Speaking on the proposal, Omodara said the Governor called for the establishment of agreed border intelligence points, coordinated patrol corridors, and rapid communication mechanisms to tackle security incidents that cut across state boundaries in the North Central zone.
He said the framework, if adopted, would strengthen collaboration among neighbouring states and security agencies, given that criminal elements often exploit porous state borders to evade arrest and continue their operations.
Before making the proposal, Omodara gave an overview of security measures already taken by the Kogi State Government, stating that security cannot be achieved through kinetic force alone, but requires a combination of kinetic strength with non-kinetic strategies such as intelligence gathering, community engagement, prevention and disruption.
He said Kogi State has pursued an intelligence-led, technology-driven and community-based security architecture, working closely with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, local vigilantes, hunters and community leaders. He added that the state has also improved rapid response capabilities and supported joint security clearance operations in difficult terrains.
Omodara noted that the government had taken difficult but necessary administrative measures, including the temporary closure of markets in vulnerable areas serving as meeting points for criminals, restriction of movement, regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, and night travel restrictions in identified flashpoints. He explained that the measures are aimed at denying criminals the freedom, logistics and anonymity they need to operate.
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He said these efforts contributed to the elimination of notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, on 10th June, 2026, in Iluke Bunu, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
Omodara commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their support in the fight against banditry and terrorism in Kogi State and Nigeria at large, while calling for more support, particularly for the proposed North-Central Joint Border Security framework.
