The Kogi State Government has taken a definitive and uncompromising stand against criminality, declaring that it will never engage in negotiations or ransom payments with bandits and kidnappers. This firm position was announced by the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Honourable Kingsley Fanwo.
A Firm Stance Against Criminal Negotiations
Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo made the government's policy clear during an appearance on Channels Television on Tuesday morning, December 2, 2025. He emphasised that the administration of Governor Usman Ododo maintains a strict zero-tolerance approach towards dealing with criminal elements.
"The state government is maintaining its zero-tolerance stance on negotiating with criminal elements. We will never bow to bandits under any circumstances," Fanwo stated. He further explained that the governor has made it explicit that his administration will not participate in any discussions or ransom deals with kidnappers, asserting that Kogi possesses both the political will and the operational capacity to dismantle criminal networks.
"In Kogi State, we don't negotiate. The governor said he would not bow. We have the capacity to bring them out; we have the capacity to deal with these criminals, so we will not negotiate with any one of them," the commissioner added emphatically.
Security Response and Civilian Casualties
Fanwo addressed a recent security incident where kidnappers engaged military operatives in a gun battle, which unfortunately resulted in the death of two civilians. While expressing regret over the loss of innocent lives, the commissioner maintained that the intensity of the security forces' response delivered a powerful message to the assailants.
"We regret the fact that during the fire exchange between the kidnappers and the military security forces, we lost two people. But even the criminals knew that Kogi is a no-go area for them," he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government's commitment to sustaining aggressive security operations. He stated that the state would continue to utilise its comprehensive security architecture to neutralise threats and ensure the protection of all residents.
Governor Ododo Presents Ambitious 2026 Budget
In a separate but significant development, Governor Usman Ododo has presented a substantial budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the Kogi State House of Assembly. The budget estimate, totalling ₦820.49 billion, was submitted on Tuesday, with a focus on infrastructure expansion and improved service delivery.
Governor Ododo had previously unveiled the draft of the 2026 budget, titled "Budget of Shared Prosperity: Driving Sustainable Growth For All," to members of the State Executive Council in November at the Government House in Lokoja.
In his address to the Assembly, the governor outlined the budget's key objectives:
- Achieving enhanced revenue mobilisation.
- Enforcing strict expenditure discipline.
- Deepening strategic investment in key growth sectors.
- Aggressively repaying federal government debts.
- Strengthening the investment climate.
- Encouraging collaborative investment models.
- Blocking revenue leakages.
- Prioritising ongoing projects while introducing new initiatives aligned with the state's 32-year development plan.
Governor Ododo noted that these objectives are designed to support robust economic growth, alleviate financial pressures, and foster a more competitive business environment in Kogi State.
"This bold ₦820.49 billion budget represents a 35.7 per cent increase from the 2025 revised budget, signalling a new era of sustainable growth and inclusive development in the state," the governor declared.
He added that the 2026 budget draft reflects a robust and balanced financial strategy that emphasises enhanced revenue generation, strategic control of expenditures, and a strong commitment to capital investment. The significant proposed increases in both recurrent revenue and capital expenditure underscore the government's determination to expand infrastructure and improve the delivery of services to the people of Kogi State.
