The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has ordered the closure of all brothels harbouring prostitutes in the state.
The governor has also banned the use of facemasks in public places just as he ordered the demolition of shanties in some areas.
The decisions were part of the state government’s response to a series of security breaches experienced in the state in recent times.
The governor gave the directives on Tuesday in Lokoja during a meeting with all first and second-class traditional rulers, including local government chairmen in the state.
He banned the wearing of facemasks in public places for proper identification in the state.
Bello also ordered the removal and demolition of shanties in Lokoja, Osara, Zango, Itobe, Obajana and all other areas in the state.
He urged the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, local government chairmen, union leaders, and security agencies to meet with tricycle and motorcycle riders for proper documentation.
“You have the exclusive responsibility to ensure that all nooks and crannies of your areas are free from criminality of all sorts. Ensuring peaceful co-existence in your domain is your exclusive responsibility,” the governor said.
Bello, however, sympathised with the family of the security agents killed in Ajaokuta Local Government Area on Saturday, July 30.
He charged the concerned stakeholders to continue to do their jobs without fear or favour, noting, “Let me sound a note of warning to all politicians, irrespective of political persuasion, to desist from anything that could disrupt the peace we are currently enjoying in the state.”