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.”
***CP restates commitment to safety of lives, property in Kogi
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel in Ankumi forest, near Obajana in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state.
A statement from SP William Ovye Aya, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) on Tuesday in Lokoja said that the two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded in an exchange of fire with the Police and died as they were being taken to the hospital.
Aya said the operation which was in continuation of the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crime in Kogi State also led to the recovery of one AK 47 Rifle with two magazines and two live Ammunition.
He explained that the operation was consequent upon a tip off received on Monday, May 27 at about 11:30hrs, that some armed hoodlums numbering about three were sighted inside Ankumi forest.
“Immediately the Divisional Police Officer of Obajana Division, CSP Oguche Richard, mobilized his patrol team in collaboration with the Fulani Vigilantes and moved to the area at about 14:30hrs”, he said.
According to the PPRO, on sighting the team, the hoodlums opened fire on them, attracting corresponding response from the team resulting in a gun duel that lasted a while.
Aya said, “Due to the superior firepower of the Police team, two of the hoodlums were fatally wounded while the other escaped with bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the scene include, one AK 47 rifle with two magazines and two rounds of live Ammunition. Effort is on going to trail and apprehend the fleeing suspect.”
The Command’s Spokesman further told newsmen that the suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital at Obajana and their bodies were brought to the command headquarters in Lokoja.
He said that the bodies were deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital morgue in Lokoja.
Aya further said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, commended the officers for their unwavering commitment and dedication in sustaining the tempo in the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality.
The Commissioner, he said, also assured Kogi people that the Police “is ever determined to sustain the tempo, in synergy with other Security Agencies, in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.” (Ends)
An unspecified number of workers of Dangote Cement Company Plc, Okpella, Etsako West local government of Edo state have been abducted after unknown gunmen Wayland the staff bus
The unfortunate incident was said to have happened on Monday.
The workers were in a staff bus conveying them back to Okpella town after the close of work when they were intercepted and abducted by the gunmen.
An eyewitness confirmed to this online newspaper that the incident happened after the gunmen laid ambush for the workers after emerging from the bush and forcing the bus to a halt at gunpoint before taking their victims into the bush.
“They were in a Coaster bus coming to Okpella after work when they were kidnapped by gunmen. But, we don’t know the numbers of the workers that have been kidnapped,” the source added.
The alleged rape of a female student of the Ajayi Crowther University by two security guards is not being treated with kids gloves as the authorities of the institution have commenced investigations
This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Olufemi John Atoyebi.
Atoyebi said, “Management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo received with shock a report of an alleged rape of one of our female students last night, Thursday May 9, 2024 by two members of our vigilance group.
“The Management promptly handed over to the police, the two people alleged to have committed the crime while the university has set up its own internal panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation.
“The Management wishes to assure all stakeholders that ACU will not tolerate any act of misconduct capable of tarnishing its enviable image.
“Raising Godly intellectuals is our primary goal in ACU and we will not allow any act of misconduct capable of diverting our attention from our goal.
“Heavy penalty awaits anyone who is found culpable after our thorough investigation.
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