Kogi: Stop Rampant Abductions and Violence In Igala Land – Group

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – An organisation that serves as an umbrella body for all socio-cultural and political groups in Kogi East Senatorial Zone known as Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO) on Monday raised fears over incessant abductions and violence ripping across the zone.

In a press statement signed its National Leader, Mr David Abutu and Secretary, Dr. Sebastin Abu, the group called on the state government and relevant security agencies to investigate the spates of killings in the zone with the intention of staving off further losses in lives and property.

According to the statement, “The attention of Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO), the umbrella body for all socio-cultural and political organizations in Kogi East Senatorial District, has been drawn to the unsavoury security situation in Igala land, leading to fear, apprehension, and rampant bloodshed in the nine local government areas.

“The most worrisome are instances of kidnapping, armed robbery, cold blood murder and violent attacks, which have taken over Igala land. There are many instances of violent killings in villages and farmlands, kidnapping for ransom, and raiding of villages.” Narrating a long history of abductions, robberies and violence in the zone, UIO narrated no fewer than 11 incidents to buttress its points.

Among the incidents include “Kidnap of Onu Iyankpe, a surbub of Bagana in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State. He was killed after his assailants collected ransom in April 2021; “July 18, a medical doctor, Dr Solomon Nidiamaka, working with General Hospital Ugwolawo, in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi state was kidnapped by gunmen; September 11, 2021, one Idris Bala was killed by criminal Fulani herdsman at Ojapata Oganigu and multiple kidnapping in Ejule, Eyele, and Ochadamu Umori axis in Ofu Local Government Area.

Other incidents also include the constant invasion and burgling of homes in many villages in Igala land; killing of four persons at Otutubatu (Bagana) in Omala LGA during a recent kidnap incident and inability of many Igala communities farmers cannot access their farmlands due to incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

“These acts of violence are not hidden; they are known to our security operatives, but none of them has been investigated to a logical conclusion. With very few persons being arrested, probed and punished, impunity has continued to grow and gain more ground in Kogi East. Therefore, many communities in Igala land are being deprived of their legitimate sources of business, while, our elite in towns and cities find it difficult to visit the place of their birth for fear of being attacked or kidnapped.

“This organisation is also peeved by the multiplicity of criminal minds in leaps and bounds in Igala, which can be traced to dirty politics, witnessed in the 2019 governorship election in the state.

“Ukomu Igala has noted with grave concern how the youths were armed with weapons of mass destruction for the purpose of disrupting the electoral process, causing mayhem, arson and murder during the period.”

Continuing, the body said it was of the opinion that “the spiraling of criminality in Igala land is not unconnected with arms and ammunition made available to political thugs to subvert the election.

“The weapons, it has been noted, are still in possessions of the political thugs, who may be using them for selfish criminal purposes.

“Igala people are naturally peace loving. No society can grow in an atmosphere instability and lack of peace.

“The organisation cannot stand and watch, with lamentation, while a land renowned for peace is being desecrated and destroyed by Fulani bandits and local criminal elements.”

Ukomu Igala condemns the criminal attack, and calls on the security agencies to find an enduring solution to the recurring situation, which has brought untold hardship and sorrow to the community, over the years.

The group also called for the setting up of a military barracks in Igala land and declared that “the police and other security agencies must respond to distress calls from communities in Igala land. Most times, the police do not respond to distress calls from villagers when they are being raided by bandits. The people in Igala land are Nigerians, and deserve to be protected, as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution.

“The Nigeria Police Force should deploy more policemen in Igala land as, in most districts, there are hardly up to a dozen policemen.

“In collaboration with the security agencies, the state government should use all measures possible, to mop up or retrieve the dangerous weapons still left in the hands the political thugs in question.

“UIO calls on all communities in Igala land to put in place dependable and formidable Community Security outfits, which could assist the efforts of the security agencies.”