Kogi Government Deploys High-Tech Drones to Intensify Fight Against Insecurity
The Kogi State Government on Monday launched two HP-20 State Asset Drones in Lokoja to boost surveillance operations and strengthen the fight against banditry and other security threats across the state.
Governor Usman Ododo unveiled the equipment at the Chari Maigumeri Barracks during a ceremony attended by senior military commanders, security stakeholders, and top government officials.
The event signaled a new phase in the administration’s strategy of using modern technology to confront rising security challenges.
According to the governor, the drones were designed to provide real-time intelligence and support precision-driven operations in difficult terrains.
He explained that the devices would improve coordination among security agencies and enhance the state’s capacity to respond swiftly to emerging threats.
“These priority drones have advanced surveillance, monitoring, and response capabilities. They can operate in difficult terrains, provide real-time intelligence, enable precision-led operations against terrorists, and offer early detection of suspicious movements,” Ododo said.
He emphasized that the deployment of the drones reflects his administration’s determination to maintain control of every part of Kogi State and deny criminal elements any safe haven.
“Let me be very clear: this administration will not falter. We will not surrender our communities. We will not allow bandits or terrorists to take over any part of our land. The government must be in charge—not bandits, not kidnappers,” the governor declared.
Ododo further noted that Kogi’s location as a major link between Northern and Southern Nigeria has made it vulnerable to criminal activities, particularly from bandits migrating from neighboring states. He said the government had carefully studied these patterns and chosen to respond with proactive measures rather than rhetoric.
“We studied these threats carefully, and we responded with action, not excuses,” he stated.
Reviewing progress made in recent years, the governor maintained that his administration has built a strong security architecture based on technology, community engagement, and cooperation among security agencies.
“Today, Kogi State ranks among the most peaceful states in Nigeria, and our goal is clear—to make it the safest state in the country,” he added.
Military authorities present at the event commended the initiative and described it as a major step forward for internal security operations.
The Commander of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Brigadier General K.U. Sidi, said the introduction of the drones would significantly enhance intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shuaibu, the Director of Transformation and Innovation at Army Headquarters, Brigadier General O.S. Abai, expressed the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to securing Kogi State.
He pointed to the recent establishment and deployment of the 21 Battalion to the state as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen troop presence and improve rapid response to threats.
The government described the unveiling as a milestone in its broader security reform agenda, aimed at ensuring that law enforcement agencies are better equipped to protect citizens and critical infrastructure.
Across Kogi State, residents and community leaders have reacted positively to the development, expressing optimism that the new technology will help curb criminal activities and further consolidate peace in the region.
The drone deployment forms part of a wider plan by the Ododo administration to modernize security operations and safeguard the state’s strategic position within Nigeria’s economic and transportation network.
