
…Says 70 killed by herdsmen in three years
The social cultural group, Uk’omu Igala Organisation has raised concerns over alleged rising insecurity and political thuggery in the Kogi East senatorial district in recent time.
It urged the government to rise to the occasion in tackling the menace.
This was contained in a communiqué issued by the group at the end of its executive council meeting held at Anyigba, to examine the “dire situation” in Kogi East district (Igalaland).
The communique which was issued on Tuesday in Lokoja and signed by the National Leader of the group, Maj. Gen. Patrick Akpa (retd.), noted that the “murderous and destructive activities” of Fulani herdsmen who allegedly destroyed farmlands in Kogi East had heightened in recent years, leading to more than 70 deaths in Igalaland in the last three years.
“The leadership is worried by what appears to be the callous insensitivity of government in abdicating its primary responsibility of meeting the security and welfare of citizens.
“While the people of Kogi East have proved to be one of the most tolerant Nigerian groups, government must be seen living up to the expectations of the people by doing all it takes to secure the people, as the only basis of mutual co-existence.”
They expressed worries over what was described as “the seizure of the entire Kogi East by chains of violence unleashed by thugs believed to be acting on behalf of the government in power and elements of the opposition”, and therefore called for an end to such ugly trend.
They condemned the trend of vote buying and selling, and urged the electorate to vote conscientiously in the forthcoming elections, and avoid mortgaging their future.
They called on political gladiators from across the political divides to focus their campaigns on tackling infrastructural development issues that affect the people especially in the provisions of electricity, water, roads, health care, better education and improved living standards for the people.
They alleged marginalization of the Igalas in political appointments by the Buhari-led government, and urged their political leaders to “negotiate frontline ministerial slots and CEO positions of major MDAs with leaders of the political parties where they belong,” ahead of the forthcoming presidential election.