Kogi State gubernatorial aspirant and former Chief of Naval Staff, Jibrin Usman has lamented the spate of banditry attacks in the last three years in the State.

Speaking at the Palace of Aguma of Bassa, Chief Williams Keke said, there were unreported higher number of deaths and human casualties of Kogi citizens due to banditry attacks, saying that government of the day should not tolerate that, given the fact that security is a primary responsibility of government.

Ex-Navy Chief pointed out that there were factors fueling insecurity in the state, noting that he would deal with those factors before tackling insecurity which has become a menace in Kogi.

“There are factors of elements encouraging insecurity in the state. If I am elected, I will deal with those behind gunmen in the first place. ”

“Much of attacks happens at the rural level unreported and this development should not be tolerated under any guise including in the name of politics.”

He urged traditional rulers in the state to always sensitise people in their domain against compromising with outside criminals to perpetuate crimes in their domain, adding that security is a responsibility of all.

Reacting, the Bassa first class traditional ruler, urged those aspiring to govern the state to play according to rules, stating that much of the crisis in communities were triggered by political crisis.

He said his community has been a hotspot for banditry and communal crisis saying that, “He looks to the day that government would bring the menace to the end.”