News
2025 May Day: Kogi Governor, Ododo approves one year additional tax holiday for Workers among other benefits

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has approved another one year tax holiday for the state work force in addition to the one year tax relief earlier approved last Year.
Governor Ododo made the pronouncement on Thursday at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Center, Lokoja to mark the twenty twenty five May Day celebration.

The Governor said the one year tax moratorium was in addition to the one year earlier approved on approval and implementation of the new national minimum wage to cushion the harsh economic effects facing workers.

Additionally, the Governor also approved an extension of retirement age of health professionals from Sixty to sixty five years or thirty five to forty years as length of service.
Also, Governor Ododo approved the immediate provision of potable water for the Comrade Onuh Edoka Labour House for the use of the workers and the residents in the environs.
He acknowledged the contributions of the workers to the development of Kogi State, saying that a responsive government would accord priority to the welfare of workers, explaining however that the enormous demands of the organized Labour could not be met at once due to economic difficulties.

Governor Ododo assured that his administration would continue to accord necessary attention to the welfare of workers who serve as engine room of government, emphasizing that Pensioners will also be carried along as well.as education and youth and women empowerment among others.
“Our three state owned Universities are thriving and progressing steadily, and we are happy that they have met the necessary standards and will produce manpower that will compete favourably with their counterparts across the world and our assignment is to serve humanity”, the Governor stated.
The Governor also disclosed that government has been consistent in the release of one hundred and five million naira monthly as gratuity to local government retirees, this he said, was to keep his promises to the people.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Gabriel Amari expressed appreciation to the Governor for the much he has done so far, saying the organized Labour was grateful, but however urged the government to look critically into their demands with a view to giving workers more hope.

The State Head of Service, Doctor Elijah Evinemi in his speech, noted that the present administration has placed workers welfare at the front burner and urged workers to reciprocate the gesture by being dedicated to their duties.

In his speech, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour matters, Comrade Onuh Edoka said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was the first to approve and implement the new national minimum wage which has been acknowledged by the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in the Country.
Comrade Edoka commended the Governor for his courage at appointing labour leaders into key positions under his administration and assured that workers would reciprocate at the right time,
Crime
Joint Security Forces Nab 12 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Victims in Kogi/Kwara Operation (Photos)

Twelve suspected kidnappers and one informant have been arrested in a coordinated security operation carried out across parts of Kogi and Kwara States.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo through a press statement made available to newsmen.
He said the suspects were apprehended during a series of raids jointly executed by the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Officers and Men of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Egbe.

The operations covered Isanlu-Esa and Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Patigi, Lafiagi and Gbugbu in Kwara State.
The statement identified the suspected kidnappers as Mainasara Abubakar, Sadik Abubakar, Jude Sani, Sanda Abubakar, Lawali Usman, Tukur Shehu, Hassan Abubakar, Kabiru Surajo, Makiri Dodo, Bala Hassan, Umaru Sanda, and Ruwa Abubakar. Also arrested was Rabiu Makeri, who is believed to be an informant for the gang.

According to the statement, the security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, during which some of the kidnappers fled, abandoning their motorcycles and kidnap victims. Several kidnapped women were successfully rescued during the confrontation.
“We want to thank the gallant officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser and our men at the FOB, Egbe for their courage and professionalism. We also commend the Kwara State Government for their cooperation, which has yielded this outstanding result,” the statement read.
“Peace has returned to Kogi West as the criminal route from Kwara into our communities has now been disrupted. There will be no hiding place for the criminals. One of the security agents who confronted the kidnappers was shot and he is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Yagba West Local Government Area of the State. The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has offered to cover all the costs of treatment”, he said.
The Commissioner further assured the public that the arrested suspects will face full prosecution after investigations, reaffirming the state’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality.

In a separate remark, the Executive Chairman of Yagba West LGA and ALGON Chairman for Kogi State, Hon. Tosin Olokun, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing the logistics and support that enabled the success of the operation.

“Governor Ododo promised to restore peace to Yagba West and Yagba as a whole. Today, he has backed those words with decisive action. We can now heave a sigh of relief. The people of Yagba are grateful for his leadership and the results it is delivering,” Olokun said.

The Kogi State Government emphasized its ongoing commitment to working with federal and regional partners to ensure the safety and security of all communities within the state.
News
JUST IN: PSC threatens to kick out drug addicts in the system

The Police Service Commission has vowed to flush out drug addicts in the Nigeria Police Force and has extended an invitation to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to assist the Commission achieve this noble objective.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations said the PSC chairman made the vow during a visit to the Corporate Headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency where it formally met with the Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive and his Management team.
It said the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu, used the occasion to invite the Agency to join the Commission in all the processes of screening prospective Nigerians who are desirous of joining the Nigeria Police Force.
DIG Argungu, who was received by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the Agency, said there was need for a functional partnership between the Commission and the Agency in the fight to eradicate drug abuse in the Nigeria Police.
He commended the Agency for the assistance in screening intakes of the Police Academy, Wudil Kano which he said has drastically reduced the incidences of drug addiction by students of the Academy.
The PSC Chairman said there was need to upscale this assistance to cover the Recruitment processes in the Nigeria Police Force.
“We want you to help us fish out the drug addicts who obviously should not be allowed to get into and corrupt the system. We want to get it right and get the Police to work “.
DIG Argungu said it was dangerous to give fire arms to drug addicts and vowed that the Commission is poised to flush out such Officers in the Police Force.
The Chairman commended his host for his track record of excellence in the service of the nation.General Marwa, in his response, congratulated the Chairman on his deserved appointment and prayed for his success.
He pledged the Agency’s commitment to assist the Commission sanitize Police Recruitment.” We will try our best to bring the menace to an end, but it requires intelligence, sharing intelligence, training” he noted.
News
RULAAC Commends DSS DG’s Human Rights Reforms, Tasks IGP to Emulate Same in the Nigeria Police Force
In stark contrast, the Nigeria Police Force has persistently failed to act on similar cases of abuse, even in the face of clear court judgments and public outrage.

July 22, 2025 – Lagos, Nigeria:
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has Commended the Director -General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi, for demonstrating a rare and commendable commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and institutional accountability.
Okechukwu Nwanguma Executive Director of RULAAC, have the commendation today in a media statement.
The statement reads:
“We note with satisfaction the recent steps taken under his leadership to:-
Release a number of unlawfully detained individuals, including Abdulyakini Salisu, who had been in detention since 2022;-
Pay financial compensation to victims of unlawful arrest, wrongful detention, and mistaken identity;-
Tender official apologies to affected individuals;-
Provide medical support and rehabilitation to victims;-
Take disciplinary action against erring operatives responsible for these violations.
These actions represent a significant departure from the long-standing culture of impunity in Nigeria’s security sector and offer a concrete example of how security agencies can demonstrate — rather than merely tout — respect for human rights and the rule of law.
In stark contrast, the Nigeria Police Force has persistently failed to act on similar cases of abuse, even in the face of clear court judgments and public outrage.
A notable example remains the case of Glory Okolie, a young woman illegally detained by police officers attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in 2021 for over 150 days, during which she was abused and dehumanized.
Despite a Federal High Court judgment awarding her ₦60 million in damages and ordering her release, the Nigeria Police neither issued an apology nor took any disciplinary or remedial action.
RULAAC therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to:
1. Publicly acknowledge and apologize for past and ongoing human rights violations under the Nigeria Police Force;
2. Comply fully with all outstanding judicial orders, including payment of damages to victims like Glory Okolie;
3. Set up a dedicated human rights audit committee within the Force to review and redress cases of unlawful detention and abuse;
4. Institute disciplinary action against officers who violate human rights, as a deterrent and commitment to reform;
5. Embrace a leadership approach grounded in transparency, justice, and accountability, similar to the path now being charted by the DSS.
The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy hinges on the conduct of its law enforcement agencies.
We cannot continue to condone a culture where police impunity is the norm and citizens’ rights are routinely violated without consequence.
The recent actions by the DSS DG show that reform is possible — where there is the will.
The IGP and the Nigeria Police Force must show that they, too, are capable of change.
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