Insecurity - Brothels, slums, and other areas in Kogi must be closed, said Gov. Bello

To reduce crime in the state, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has ordered the destruction of all slums and the closure of all brothels in any neighbourhood thought to be housing criminals.

During a meeting with the first and second-class traditional rulers, as well as the 21 local government chairmen, he gave the order on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state capital.

For proper identification, the governor also outlawed the wearing of facemasks in public.

He ordered a census of tricycle and motorbike riders to be taken for proper documentation by the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, local government chairmen, union leaders, and security agencies.

He commanded all traditional leaders to work with security forces to purge criminals from their spheres of influence.

Bello urged the state's politicians to perform honourably and abstain from actions that would disturb the peace.