Crime
Oganenigu Killings: Kogi East Senator tasks traditional rulers on need to resolve the issues at stake
By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
The senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, has called on traditional leaders in Dekina local government area of Kogi State to urgently intervene in the killings in Oganenigu as he condemns the attack in its strong terms, bemoaning the killing of his constituents.
Senator Jibrin in a press statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Lokoja, decried the recent invasion after previous moves to broker peace between the original inhabitants of the land and Fulani herders which he said has yielded positive result until the latest onslaught.
The lawmaker was of the opinion that some people may be benefiting from the crises in some quarters, hence its reoccurrence, leading to destruction of lives and property
According to him, most worrisome, is the displacement of women and children.
The angry senator appealed to traditional leaders in Oganenigu and Dekina Local Government whom he said should know what the issues are, to sit on a round table with the Fulani leaders with the view to discussing and finding solutions to the concerns.
Echocho recalled that the Oganenigu crisis saw Governor Yahaya Bello visiting the communities some years back, despite difficult terrain, solely to see that peace reigned in the land.
The statement reads in parts, “with a heavy heart and deep sense of grief I wish to hereby condemn in the strongest possible terms, the invasion of Edede, Aloko and its adjoining communities in Oganenigu ward in Dekina Local government area of Kogi state. “I wish to call on the traditional institution to provide useful information to the state government which I know is ready to help them live in peace so that the issues at stake would be identified and resolved”
The lawmaker added that: “I have the strong feeling that some people at some quarters may be benefitting from these incessant crises hence its reoccurrence, if not, we have lived with herders for several years in peace and we are mutually in love with ourselves.
“I strongly commend the efforts of his Excellency Alhaji yahaya Bello in securing the whole state, I wish to still appeal to him to intervene and act on behalf of the poor and innocent people to protect and further guarantee them a future of longevity, pride, and prosperity like he has always done by visiting the community some years ago.
“This recent surge of mindless killings in Edede on Thursday last week and the renewed one on Sunday morning should be avoided so it does not lead to reprisal at any angle.
“Under the present administration of Yahaya Bello, citizens and residents have enjoyed mutual peace and we give it to him, it is my strong desire that this mutually beneficial relationship is sustained as the recent trouble leading to people being killed by suspected herdsmen or unknown gunmen involving people on their ancestral lands is annoying.
“My concern now is that people are being rendered homeless and internally displaced on their own land as a result of issues that common discussion or understanding would have settled.
“While calling on the youths and people of Oganenigu as a whole to be law abiding, the Senator finds it instructive to admonish them to resort to their leaders in discussion towards finding lasting solution to the incessant armed attacks on the vulnerable Community.”
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Saturday clamped down and apprehended 9 adherents of the Yoruba Nation who invaded the Oyo state Secretariat
Kitted in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with dangerous weapons the attackers arrived in a commado style in buses and motorbikes, and started shooting sporadically after sighting the troops
However, the troops with superior firepower subdued the attackers, who retreated but in disarray.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement indicated that 9 members of the irredentist group were apprehended, while one Semi Automatic Pump Action rifle and ammunition were recovered.
He said while the situation is under control, troops have gone out to track down the fleeing adherents.
“We assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the general area.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies. The safety and security of the citizenry remain a priority, as we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region,” Major General Nwachukwu assured
***Police confirms abduction of passengers
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Two buses fully loaded with Passengers travelling from the Eastern part of the country to Abuja have been highjacked and passengers abducted in Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi east Senatorial district
The two buses belonging to God Is Good (GIG) transport and Logistics company and the ABC transport company were highjacked while heading to Abuja by Kidnappers in Kogi state.
The source further discosed that GIG bus left umuahia at 7:30 am on Saturday on its way to Abuja.
GIG motor
GIG company it was gathered has contacted security services and they are tracking them.
Meanwhile the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the Saturday kidnap of passengers aboard two Abuja-bound buses from the Eastern part of the country on Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi East Senatorial district of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya (SP) made the confirmation in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Lokoja.
Aya who could not give the number of passengers however, confirmed that two buses were involved,
The PPRO said that the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Local Vigilantes and Hunters to comb the bushes with a view to apprehending the hoodlums and rescuing the victims.
He disclosed that Onuoha further deployed the Tactical Squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional Police personnel to the area to continue with the bush combing to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.
Our correspondent gathered on Monday that the buses, one from GIG Motors and the other from ABC Transport heading to Abuja were intercepted by the gun-wielding hoodlums on the lonely road in Kogi state.
The victims were said to have been marched into the bush by the hoodlums leaving no traces.
According to the source, the GIG bus left Umuahia at about 7:30am on Saturday enroute Abuja adding that the GIG company said they had contacted security agencies.
***Fish out killers, Oyebanji orders security agents
Tragedy has struck in Ekiti State where gunmen yet to be identified laid ambush for two first class traditional rulers and gunned them down in a gruesome manner on Monday
The unfortunate incident occured on IRELE -Oke Ako road in Ikole Local government area of Ekiti State .
The slain traditional rulers are Oba Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.
Another traditional ruler, Oba Alara of Ara Ekiti,, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped being killed by the whiskers
They were said to be returning from a meeting when the gunmen opened fire on them, killing two of the traditional rulers on the spot.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji who confirmed the killing of the traditional rulers in a statement ordered security agencies to immediately fish out the killers of the two traditional rulers.
In the statement signed by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji condemned the gruesome murder of the two traditional rulers.
The statement reads thus :
” Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has condemned Monday’s dastardly attack in Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government, which led to the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers; and ordered security agencies in the state to fish out the killers.
“The two traditional rulers- the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola were killed in an ambush by armed men while returning from a meeting.
“The third traditional ruler, the Alara of Ara –Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped the attack.”
Oyebanji, said security agents have been despatched to the area to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
The killings were carried out barely one hour Governor Oyebanji presided over the state security council meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
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