In a bold move to tackle insecurity, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has ordered the immediate demolition of a notorious criminal hideout known as 'Sambel Joint' in Idoji, Okene Local Government Area. The action was carried out on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following credible intelligence reports linking the facility to serious criminal activities.
Proactive Strike Against Crime
The demolition exercise came just hours after the Kogi State Government issued a sweeping public statement. The declaration invalidated all fraudulently and illegally acquired properties across the state, rendering them null, void, and of no legal effect. The government warned that any such property used for criminal purposes would be reclaimed, with involved parties facing prosecution.
Acting on this directive, properties located at GP. 23A, 23B, 24A & 24B in Government Quarters, Idoji, Okene, were specifically targeted. These properties, holding Certificate of Occupancy number KG. 13958, were investigated, invalidated, and demolished after confirmation that they were not only illegally acquired but also served as operational bases for criminal elements.
Intelligence-Led Security Action
Government sources revealed that the properties violated both the Kogi State Land Administration Law and the Anti-Kidnapping Law. Sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering had identified the location as a major security threat, a haven for criminals terrorizing residents and commuters in the Okene area.
Speaking at the demolition site, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration's primary duty to protect citizens. "We are here to carry out an action that is in the best interest of our people. What I have sworn in to do is to protect the lives and livelihoods of my people, and as such, I will always work to secure my people," the Governor declared.
He reminded the public of his December proclamation, vowing to demolish any property harbouring criminals and prosecute all occupants and collaborators. "This is not new. We already made it clear that any house being used to harbour criminals will go down. These are proactive measures to curb criminality in Kogi State," Ododo stated.
Zero Tolerance for Criminality
Governor Ododo expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support in strengthening state security. He explained that investigations showed the demolished properties originally belonged to the government but were illegally occupied and converted for crime.
"This demolition you are seeing here today is to give our people the needed security they deserve. We discovered that criminals have taken over this property, and when we realised that their activities were giving our people unrest, we had to take a bold decision," he explained.
The Governor issued a stern, unambiguous warning to criminals and their enablers: "I will never negotiate with any criminal. We will take the fight to them anywhere they are. If you harbour criminals, your house will go down. If you keep criminals, your house will go down." He emphasized that the operation's goal was to restore peace and allow residents to "sleep with both of their eyes closed."
Security sources confirmed the location was under close watch due to numerous resident complaints about suspicious movements and unknown persons. Residents of Idoji, like Mallam Raji Sanni, praised the governor's swift action, calling it a liberation from the hoodlums who had occupied the structure.
Governor Ododo reiterated that Kogi State will never be a safe haven for criminals, underscoring that peace and security are central to his administration's development agenda.
