By Sam Biodun Ogundipe in London

The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to a publication by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) alleging the diversion of funds from the Kogi State Security Operations Account.

According to a release signed by the commissioner for information and communication, Kogi state. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, stated that it becomes necessary to set the record straight in the interest of the public and in deference to the state responsibility to uphold the truth.

He noted that the state found it curious that an organisation that prides itself as a watchdog of accountability would abandon the basic principles of fairness, diligence and objectivity by arriving at sweeping conclusions without presenting any evidence of wrongdoing, any report of investigation, or any finding by any competent authority.

Setting the record straight, Fanwo posited that The truth is that security is not sustained by rhetoric. Security is expensive. It requires continuous investments in intelligence gathering, logistics, communications infrastructure, operational mobility, surveillance, community engagement and strategic support for security agencies.

Every responsible government that takes seriously its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property understands this reality.

According to him, What CISLAC deliberately failed to tell Nigerians is that Kogi State has, over the years, invested heavily in strengthening its security architecture. Those investments have enhanced intelligence gathering, improved operational response, strengthened collaboration among security agencies and contributed significantly to making Kogi one of the safest states in the country despite its strategic location as the gateway connecting the North and the South.

The commissioner confirmed that The publication attempts to create the false impression that payments made from a security operations account to companies, contractors or service providers are inherently suspicious. Nothing can be further from the truth. Security operations require the engagement of logistics providers, equipment suppliers, maintenance contractors, transport operators, consultants and other service providers whose support is essential to the execution of security interventions and It is therefore irresponsible to equate the existence of financial transactions with evidence of diversion. He said Such a conclusion can only be reached through investigation, verification and due process, not through speculation, assumptions and sensational headlines.

Fanwo stated that the same publication admits that the allegations remain unproven and that no anti-corruption agency has established any wrongdoing against the Kogi State Government. Having acknowledged this fact, CISLAC still proceeded to present allegations as though they were established truths.

This contradiction exposes the weakness of its entire narrative.

It is not lost on discerning Nigerians that the publication comes at a period when political activities are beginning to gather momentum. Experience has shown that such periods often witness desperate attempts by vested interests to weaponize misinformation, half-truths and manufactured controversies against governments and public officials who refuse to compromise established processes for personal or political advantage.

Commissioner Fanwo affirmed that The Ododo Administration will not speculate on the sponsors or motives behind this latest publication and the state is aware that some individuals are uncomfortable with a system that places transparency, fairness and due process above narrow personal interests rather than accept outcomes produced by democratic institutions and credible processes, such individuals often seek alternative platforms through which to advance narratives designed to distract the populace from the remarkable progress being recorded by government.

He confirmed that under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi State has continued to witness significant improvements in security, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education and investment promotion. The administration has remained steadfast in ensuring that public resources are deployed to improve the lives of citizens and strengthen public institutions.

The people of Kogi State are the ultimate witnesses to the effectiveness of government investments in security.

They can see the enhanced operational capacity of security agencies, the increased confidence of investors and businesses operating in the state, communities becoming safer and economic activities expanding across different parts of the state. These realities cannot be erased by politically timed allegations.

Fanwo assured that the Kogi State Government welcomes transparency, accountability and lawful scrutiny of public institutions as it has absolutely nothing to hide. Any individual or organisation with credible evidence of wrongdoing are advised to submit such evidence to the appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies for investigation and necessary action.

The state government wish to reaffirm that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remains committed to the prudent management of public resources, the strengthening of the security architecture and the protection of lives and property across the state and No amount of misinformation, speculation or politically motivated distractions will deter it from these responsibilities.

Kogi State will continue to invest in security, support security agencies and deepen partnerships that guarantee peace, stability and sustainable development. The focus of the state remains service to the people, and our commitment remains unwavering.