The governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, has strongly condemned acts of vigilantism in the aftermath of the alleged killing of a Fulani settler in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area, last week.
Ododo emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law in a statement released on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, and warned against individuals taking matters into their own hands.
The governor convened an emergency security meeting on Saturday in Lokoja to address the incident and hear from all parties involved.
The gathering intended to restore peace, maintain security, and prevent potential retribution assaults that could destabilise the community.
The statement read: “In a bid to restore peace and security in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has convened an emergency security meeting in Lokoja to address the indigenes of Isanlu and the Fulani settlers.
“The governor held a robust meeting with the people of Isanlu and the Fulanis yesterday at Government House, Lokoja, where he listened to their grievances and addressed them accordingly.
“He frowned upon instances where individuals take the law into their hands by killing fellow humans, stressing that such actions are unacceptable and that perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.
“He has directed that certain traditional rulers in the affected areas be thoroughly interrogated to uncover the root of the matter and has also suspended a particular traditional ruler due to his role in the saga.”
Ododo urged the leaders of the Isanlu community to caution their subjects against participating in activities that contribute to insecurity in Yagba East and the entire Yagba Federal Constituency.
He advocated for the identification and surrender of criminal elements within the community to law enforcement agencies, stating that his administration would pursue every criminal in the state, regardless of tribe.
The statement added: “The Governor, without mincing words, challenged the leadership of the Isanlu community and its environs in Yagba East to sensitise their people on the need to refrain from taking the law into their hands.
He advised them to report any criminal elements among them to law enforcement officials in order to reduce instability in the area.
The statement also stated that the discussion was fruitful, with both parties agreeing to the governor’s plea for peace.
Ododo assured the citizens of the state of his commitment to defending lives and property, while repeating that no criminal would go unpunished.
He also praised the Fulani community in the area for refusing to launch a retaliatory attack in response to the tragedy, congratulating them for their maturity, understanding, and commitment to peace.
The governor thanked the state’s Fulani leadership for supporting his administration’s security initiatives, stressing that their efforts to keep the peace are well recorded and appreciated.
The emergency security meeting was attended by top government officials, security agencies, community leaders, and Fulani community members.
The Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area, Hon. Dare Joshua, praised Governor Ododo for his prompt action, which helped prevent a serious security breakdown in the area.
