Killings in Kogi: Okai call on Bello, FG to urgently intervene

Following the incessant invasion of Ogane Nigu communities in Dekina Local Government Council by the Fulani herders leading to killings and wanton destruction of properties, the Peoples Democratic Party House of Representatives candidate, Austin Usman Okai has called on Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello to intervene.

Okai draw the governor’s attention to the relevant provisions of the Constitution, pointing out that as the Chief Security officer of the State, he should wake up to his responsibility.

He also appealed to the presidency to wade into the crisis, stating that farmers are being killed daily, while houses are also razed by the marauders

Okai in a statement he sent to CAPITAL POST on Sunday was at the backdrop of renewed attack on the people by the Fulani herdsmen who invaded the rural communities within Ogane Nigu area, Edede, Ikede area in Omala Local Government Council where many people were killed while they were asleep.

Part of his statement made available to press men reads: “I am appealing to Kogi state government to intervene on the ongoing genocide in Ogane Nigu area where, countless numbers of people have been killed by night invaders who are sophisticatedly armed.

“The attackers are believed to be fulani herders who have repeatedly attack the communities around Ogane Nigu.

“The secret killing in Ogane Nigu is lingering because the needed attention is not given to the communities in Ogane Nigu ward of Dekina local government; the governor as a chief security of the state needs to wake to this challenge.

Okai who was apparently disturbed by the killings said that the situation in Ogane Nigu of Dekina Local government area was getting out of hand and needed urgent attention.

He added: “Our people are dying silently and they are helpless as it’s now, the time for a government to act is now .

“Several settlements have been razed down, an undisclosed number of people are killed and people are refugees all over the place; this is not time for the Governor who is also the Chief Security of the state to sit down and watch but time to act.

“In the same vein, i am calling on security agencies to demonstrate capacity in intelligence gathering so as to forestall any further attacks against the communities around Ogane Nigu.

Recall that Fulani Hersmen have repeatedly continue to attack the communities around Ogane Nigu without any reason to justify their attack.