By Muslimat Itopa
Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has reiterated his resolve to deal with the perpetrators of the recent attacks in Agojeju-Odo, Bagaji-Odo, and Bagana in Omala Local Government Area.
The Governor made this known when he visited the affected Communities in a bid to sympathize and Condole with them over their loss.
This is the first time since the creation of Kogi State that an incumbent governor will visit Agojeju-Odo Community in Omala Local Government Area.
A community that share boundaries with other major state in the country.
On the fourth of April unknown gun men storm the community and killed not less than twenty people and destroyed farms which is the major occupation of the people.
Hence the visit of the state governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to sympatize and have a face to face interaction with the people and access the level of damage.
Governor Usman Ododo who vowed not to leave any stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to book promised to work with security agents in tackling the menace.
The governor assure the community that those currently at the IDP camp will be taken care of as he immediately direct the Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty alleviation to bring palliative to them at the camp to ease their sufferings.
He appealed to youth in the area not to take laws into their hands and urged them to strive hard to protect the land by reporting any suspicious movement to security agents.
At Bagana Community the governor expressed shocked at the level of destruction of property and promised to find a lasting solution to the the crisis.
The Chairman Omala Local Government Area Mr Mike Edibo appealed to the state government to complete the Guto bridge that link the community to other states like Abuja Nasarawa Benue and Bayelsa in other to bring development to the area and the state at large stressing that the project was flagged off for construction during the tenure of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mr Edibo explained that the major crisis started in twenty thirteen over the economic advantage of the river between the two rival community and also lamented some political undertones saying when properly tackled will help in solving the crisis.
He appreciated the governor for the visit which he noted has brought relieve and hope to the people of Bagana and Omala in general.
The President Kogi State Traditional Council of Chiefs HRM Mathew Alaji Opaluwa appealed to the governor to assist the community in the area of employment and good road network to ease the movement of goods and services in the area.
He expressed happiness on the visit and promised the support of the people of Omala Local Government to his administration.
Earlier the Leader of Agojeju-Odo Community Elder Elias Ali Attabo who was overwhelmed by the governor’s visit appealed for adequate security for the people of the community to resume their normal activities.
Elder Ali Attabo also said bad road infrastructure is one of the major challenges confronting the people of Omala and appreciated the governor for the visit and thanked the Atta Igala for his quick response during the crisis.
