Insecurity: Kogi deploys CCTV, technology, vigilantes to protect schools from kidnappers

…credits Tinubu’s subsidy removal for infrastructure boom, backs second term

The Kogi State Government has unveiled what it described as a technology-driven security architecture to protect schools from kidnappers and other criminal elements, saying surveillance systems, trained vigilantes and local hunters have made government-owned educational institutions safer despite rising insecurity across parts of the country.

The state also linked its ongoing infrastructure expansion to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that increased revenues accruing to states following the removal of petrol subsidy have enabled major investments in roads, healthcare, education and ecological projects, while boosting public support for the President ahead of the 2027 elections.

These were made known during the inspection of federal and state projects across Kogi by members of the Presidential Media Team and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

Speaking at the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Nagazi, Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, said the government had adopted a multi-layered security strategy combining conventional policing with technology.

“We have a very robust security architecture. The vigilante is trained, well armed, they are paid and are pensionable.

“These people are in charge of security. We have the local hunters, we have the vigilante service, we have the police and all of that. So that is the kinetic part of it,” he said.

Fanwo disclosed that the state had also invested in technology-driven surveillance, although he declined to reveal operational details.

“We also have some other areas we are putting technology into it. We will not tell you where it is, but as we are entering here, right from the control room in Lokoja, they are seeing our vehicles entering this place.

“We have been able to put technology as part of our security architecture and that is helping us a great deal.”

According to him, the measures have significantly improved security around public schools.

“So the students are very safe. When you hear things like attempts to kidnap and all of that, maybe except you go to a miracle centre. If you are in a designated government centre, it is safe.”

The security claims were reinforced at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, where university authorities said the state had strengthened security after a previous security breach around the institution.

Muhammed Asuku Audu, Director of Academic Planning, said security agencies had been permanently deployed to the university, while perimeter fencing and CCTV surveillance now cover the campus.

“As some of you are aware, we had an episode last time. The government came in full force and provided security for the university. The security forces across all security agencies are here,” he said.

“He has also built perimeter fencing around the campus. As I’m talking now, the whole campus is on CCTV surveillance. Wherever you are, you can see what is going on in the campus.”

Audu said the enhanced security had complemented rapid physical development at the institution, which began academic activities in 2021 and now has over 6,000 students and 56 accredited academic programmes.

He described it as “one of the fastest developing public universities in Nigeria,” attributing its growth to sustained funding from the state government and TETFund.

The inspection team also visited the Barefoot Renewable Energy College located within the university, where presidential officials said the facility would train the next generation of renewable energy professionals.

O’Tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, described the project as the first Barefoot Renewable Energy College in Africa and only the second in the world after India.

He said the facility would train specialists in solar technology and other renewable energy fields while hosting Nigeria’s pilot green hydrogen project.

“This centre is to train the next generation of Nigerian renewable experts across different areas, from solar installations to technology and different parts of the renewable value chain so that they can contribute not only to job creation but also to developing Nigeria’s renewable energy space,” Ogra said.

He disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the commissioning of the college next month, with the first batch of trainees expected next year.

On infrastructure, Kogi Commissioner for Works, Abdulsalami Ozigi Deedat, said reconstruction of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Benin Highway had accelerated following the intervention of the Minister of Works, describing the road as one that had suffered years of neglect.

“It was in a state of complete deterioration before the intervention of this present administration,” he said.

“If you are coming today, you will see work ongoing everywhere. By your right and your left, you will see construction going on.”

Deedat, however, argued that the state’s infrastructure drive would not have been possible without the fiscal gains from Tinubu’s economic reforms.

“If we are appreciating our governor or our state, we are not doing justice if we don’t appreciate Mr President because the governor wouldn’t have been able to do all this without the resources that have been made available by Mr President.

“This is one of the dividends of the policy courageously taken by Mr President through the removal of subsidy.

“So if we don’t have funds, we wouldn’t have been able to get this.”

He said the increased revenues had enabled investments in roads, education and other critical infrastructure across the state.

“As a Kogite, you have no reason not to allow Mr President to continue doing what he is doing in Kogi State University, on the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Benin Road and particularly what he is doing in Ajaokuta, where we hope before the end of this year Ajaokuta will bounce back.”

Deedat also dismissed criticism of Tinubu’s administration.

“Whatever you are reading on social media is not in tandem with what is happening in Kogi. People of Kogi really appreciate Mr President because we know what he is doing on our highway roads, on Ajaokuta and how he is making resources available to our governor.

“That’s why you see that in any election APC is always winning with a very high margin.”

Also speaking, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, described education as central to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“When you look at the eight cardinal points of the agenda of Mr President, education stands a solid place in that list,” he said.

“The best weapon against poverty is education. The greatest investment in our young people is education, skills and technical knowledge.”

Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, said the projects inspected across Kogi demonstrated the impact of Tinubu’s reforms on states.

“I think this has been possible by the reforms that Mr President has put in place. The reforms have freed resources to the sub-nationals and that’s why you have projects here.

“I think the President has done so well to deserve a second term and I think his achievements will speak for him to be re-elected in 2027.”