The governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed that a particular traditional ruler be suspended for his role in the killing of a Fulani man at Isanlu, in Yagba East local government of the state.
The governor also directed that some traditional rulers in the affected areas be properly interrogated in order to get to the root of the matter.
A statement today, November 25 by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said that the governor took the decisions after an emergency security meeting he held with the parties involved in the Isanlu crisis.
The governor was said to have cut short his journey to Abuja where he was billed to receive an award, to attend to the emergency situation in Isanlu.The emergency security meeting was held to avert reprisal attacks by Fulani people.
The statement said that Governor Ododo frowned at a situation where people would take laws into their hands by killing fellow human, saying that such is not acceptable and that perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.
The governor asked the leaders of the Isanlu community to warn their subjects to desist from actions that constitute insecurity in Yagba East and the entire Yagba Federal Constituency.
He also urging them to fish out the criminal elements among them as his administration will go after every criminal in the state, regardless of tribe.
“The Governor, without mincing words, also challenged the leadership of the Isanlu community and its environs in Yagba East to sensitize their people on the need to stop constituting security threats in the area by taking the laws into their hands.
“He particularly told them to stop harboring criminals and to ensure that criminal elements among them are reported and handed over to law enforcement agencies in order to curb insecurity in the area.”
According to the Commissioner, Governor Ododo promised to protect everyone living in the state, but stressed that no criminal would be spared.
The Governor commended the Fulanis in the area for resisting the temptation of launching a reprisal attack over the unfortunate incident, thanking them for demonstrating maturity, understanding and commitment to peace and security.
He also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Fulani community in the State for supporting the security initiatives of the administration, saying their efforts at maintaining peace and security are well documented and appreciated.
The emergency security meeting was attended by top government officials, security agencies, community leaders and representatives of the Fulanis in the area.
The Chairman of the Local Government Area, Dare Joshua, thanked the Governor for his swift action at averting a major security breakdown in the Local Government Area.
