The Governor of Kogi State in North Central Nigeria says more security personnel have been deployed to Oganenigu communities in the Dekina Local Area of the state, after Monday’s attack and promised that perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to justice.
The Governor gave the assurance when he led Heads of Security Agencies in the state for on-the-spot Assessments of affected communities.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Edward Onoja, described the attacks as barbaric.
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— Chief Edward David Onoja (@ed_onoja) April 4, 2023
”His Excellency, the Governor frowns seriously at the attacks and has promised that the perpetrators will be brought to book as always.
”As we speak, the military has been fully on ground from the very day that the incident happened, they have forestalled more casualties, and they will continue to be on ground.
”There will be more deployment of the Mobile Police and Anti Terrorism Squared that would also be on ground.”
He assured that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) team had taken stock to ensure quick intervention adding that the government will give palliatives to cushion the pains of the affected citizens.
”Kogi is proactive, we do not waste time in dealing with issues and challenges of our people.
”His Excellency directed that I should come here with the entire team with both the humanitarian and security aspects of it, do our findings so that we can find a lasting solution to it.
While sounding a note of warning to those causing security breaches, Onoja said the State will go after the killers like those before them.
”These incidents may happen once in a very blue moon not a reoccurrence in Kogi, and even when it happens those who make it happen will not go scot-free, there were some incidences in Kogi West and Central but in all of the incidences, all the perpetrators were always brought to justice.
”That is the guarantee from His Excellency Gov. Yahaya Bello; you cannot come to Kogi, destroyed property, take lives and go scot-free, you will pay for it.
”The Governor will continue to be with the people in ensuring that their lives and property are secured.“
The Police Commissioner in the state, Akeem Yusuf, described the attack as ”very unfortunate.”
”We have inspected and seen the extent of damage done. We will do our investigation to find out the significant issues involved in the matter and what remedy can be put in place, I have discussed this with the military Commander on ground here, and by tomorrow the Mobile Police from Dekina will join the military to be on ground,” Yusuf said.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Isaac Kolade, disclosed that over 50 houses were burnt and destroyed.
”The immediate next thing to be done is how to keep the displaced persons alive to help them with food items and other palliatives so that they can survive.”
Kolade said the IDP camps had been identified where they could locate the displaced persons to cater for them.
One of the Community Leaders; David Abimaje, appealed to the Federal, State and Local Governments to Increase security presence in the area.
”We are appealing to the Governor to facilitate the establishment of a Military Forward Base that will oversee the security of the 32 communities in Oganenigu.
”No single Police Station in the whole of the 32 communities. We are calling on the government to come to our aid and save our lives, property and ancestral homes.
For the State Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Fanwo, the Government has shown “responsiveness, responsibility and leadership.
“When the Deputy Governor got to Oganenugu in Dekina LGA, you could see hope in the eyes of the people. They are comforted by the promptness of their Government.
“Governor Yahaya Bello will continue to show leadership and all the action plans have been outlined by the Deputy Governor. We will go for dialogue but we won’t become a soft target for violent-minded individuals.
“We will recalibrate our security architecture and raise it beyond the level of the criminals. We will also continue our security sensitisation. We will come out of this stronger.”
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