The Member Representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State and Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Elder Leke Abejide, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the recent herdsmen attack on the people of Oganenigu in Dekina LGA of the state. The Governorship aspirant in ADC has also called on Governor Yahaya Bello to bring the perpetrators to book.
Hon. Leke Abejide expressed his deep sadness over the “satanic attack” on the people of Edede, Aloko, Ojapata, and other communities in Oganenigu which resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties in the area. Abejide sympathized with the community and condemned the inhumanity to man perpetrated by evil men upon peace-loving people.
Abejide’s call for local government autonomy to secure their environment and know who is within the community and who lives within their farms and forest is a vital point. According to him, if the resources are with them, the local census should be able to determine immigrants into the communities and farms with the help of traditional rulers and chiefs. They will issue permits and modes of operation within their domain on how to live in peace both within and outside the community. Anyone who breaches the agreement will know there is a problem for him or her, and this can be perfected with the State government.
The people of Oganenigu are predominantly arable farmers, and anything that will not make them go to the farm should not be allowed to happen. Abejide’s concern is not asking those in the forest and bushes to leave, but if we must coexist, then we have to agree on how to live in peace together to avoid this type of ugly incident of killing innocent souls who were doing their legitimate businesses to eke out a living but were unfortunately sent to their early graves.
Abejide urged the Kogi State government to fish out the perpetrators to give a bit of comfort to the families of the bereaved. Abejide believes that this will show the world that Governor Yahaya Bello deserves the award of Security given to him last year.
The Governorship aspirant under the platform of ADC, who is the National Coordinator and Convener of Asiwaju Confluence Campaign Organization ACCO2023, a support group that worked tirelessly for the Victory of Senator Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima in the Presidential election of February 2023, thanked Governor Yahaya Bello and security agencies for their quick response that has brought normalcy to the area.
In conclusion, Abejide’s call for peace and security in Kogi State is a wake-up call for all stakeholders to do the needful and ensure that the state is safe for all. The government and the security agencies should take urgent action to curb the menace of herdsmen attacks and prevent further loss of lives and properties in the state.
