JUST IN: Kogi Governor Orders Demolition of Criminal Hideout in Okene [PHOTOS]

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has ordered the demolition of a notorious building known as Sambel Joint in Idoji, Okene Local Government Area, following information linking the site to criminal activities.

The demolition followed a state government directive on Thursday declaring all fraudulently or illegally acquired properties in Kogi null and void, warning that such properties would be reclaimed and perpetrators prosecuted.

Specifically, properties at GP. 23A, 23B, 24A & 24B (Government Quarters, Idoji, Okene), holding Certificate of Occupancy KG. 13958, were confirmed to be illegally acquired and used as hideouts for criminals, prompting their immediate demolition. Government sources said the structures violated both the Kogi State Land Administration Law and the Anti-Kidnapping Law.

The action came after sustained surveillance and intelligence reports revealed the location had become a haven for criminal activities, endangering residents and commuters in the area.

During the demolition, Governor Ododo reiterated his administration’s commitment to security, stating:

“We are here to carry out an action that is in the best interest of our people. What I have sworn in to do is to protect the lives and livelihoods of my people, and as such, I will always work to secure my people.

“This is not new. We already made it clear that any house being used to harbour criminals will go down. These are proactive measures to curb criminality in Kogi State.

“This demolition you are seeing here today is to give our people the needed security they deserve. We discovered that criminals have taken over this property, and when we realised that their activities were giving our people unrest, we had to take a bold decision,” the governor said.

He issued a stern warning to criminals and their collaborators, “I will never negotiate with any criminal. We will take the fight to them anywhere they are. If you harbour criminals, your house will go down. If you keep criminals, your house will go down.

“We are here to carry out this exercise so that our people can sleep with both of their eyes closed,” he said.

Security sources confirmed the area had been under close monitoring due to complaints of suspicious movements and an influx of unknown individuals.

The governor emphasised that Kogi State will not be a refuge for criminals, reiterating that peace and security remain central to his administration’s development agenda.

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