KOGI State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday demanded for the extension of the “ayem akpatuma” known as exercise cat race in the state to further ensure the security of lives and property of the people.
Apart from this, the governor said the various efforts of the state and federal governments on security had made the state secured for investors and their investments.
Bello said this in Irepeni, Adavi local government area of the state while inspecting the troops deployed in the state for the cat race exercise.
Speaking with newsmen after the inspection, the governor expressed satisfaction over the exercise in the state and said he would like to have the troop in the state more than the stipulated time.
The exercise, according to the army authorities, is expected to end by March 31.
The governor said, “It (the exercise) started from Benue and the other places and it is equally being carried out here in Kogi. It is called ‘ operation cat race’. The exercise has been ongoing in Kogi State and I decided to visit the troops that are carrying out the exercise today in the field.
“I met them in a very high moral and they are they are doing an excellent job and crimes and criminality especially have been brought down to the barest minimum in Kogi. Though we had put in our best in the past they are equally complementing us at the moment. As at the moment, I am telling investors that Kogi State is the safest place for investment today.
“We have gone far into the forest to their operational base, the various camps and we saw men in the trenches and they are doing a very wonderful job. That is what has brought us. On whether he was satisfied with the operations he said what they have been doing is excellent adding that he is highly impressed and satisfied with their job. I will wish to keep them as long as I remain the governor.”
The commander of the troop, Major General Felix Agugo, however, said the exercise originally billed to end in March is subject to further review based on what was on ground.
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