Kogi Groups Want Tinubu's Urgent Intervention Over Insecurity in the State

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Some Civil Society group have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the insecurity happening in Kogi State.

The Groups are Kogi Conscience, Igala Youths Council, and Makoji Ata Foundation among others.

The Convener of the Groups, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob made the call during a peaceful protest to Defence Headquarters in Abuja

They carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop illegal arrest and detention of Kogites’, ‘Stop the killing of Igala/Bassa people in Kogi State’, ‘Let peace reign in Kogi State’, ‘Igala, Bassa, Okun and Egbira are all brothers’, ‘Protect our lives, it’s not rocket science, save Kogi youths’ and ‘Enough of the bloodbath.’

In a petition addressed to the Service Chiefs during the protest, the coalition accused the government of orchestrating violence, arson, and ethnic cleansing against the people of Igala/Bassa Kingdom in Kogi East Senatorial District.

The petition also described how Navy Commander Nicholas Uchendu Akalezi allegedly led a contingent of the Nigerian Navy and operatives in a siege on Ejule community on June 21, 2023.

The petition reads in part, “On account of the foregoing facts, we most respectfully pray to your very exalted office as follows.

“We respectfully request that you thoroughly investigate our petition, in order to ascertain its veracity, and if found to be true, bring all persons and agencies who have participated in these horrific acts against our people to justice.

“We also request that you take all necessary constitutional steps to protect our people and secure their right to political participation.”

The attack, according to the coalition, resulted in several casualties and the destruction of properties, including the murder of Bala Kabiru.

The coalition alleged that since 2016, there had been a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and violence against political opponents and persons with divergent political views, particularly those from the Eastern Senatorial District of the state.

The leader of the protesters Comrade Okpanachi Jacob cited incidents during the 2019 general elections and the Kogi State governorships elections where a women was burnt in her own house, and properties was destroyed and lives were lost.

He also said that the violence has continued in the lead-up to the 2023 general election, with numerous incidents involving attacks on political opponents and their properties.

One such incident mentioned in the letter was the attack on Alhaji Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, a governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, on May 28.

He also said that Radio Kogi, Ochaja Broadcasting Station, was vandalised and looted on June 2, 2023, for allegedly airing news about the attack on Alhaji Ajaka.

Comrade Jacob added that Our people have suffered greatly under Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s governance, which has been characterized by sheer brutality and high-handedness.

The protesters called the President Bola Tinubu and other relevant agencies for an immediate action seeking thorough investigation and justice for those involved in the alleged acts of violence.