Kogi moves to stop Fulani herdsmen, communities clash

Kogi State Government said on Tuesday that steps were being taken to address the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and some communities in the state.

The state governor, Capt. Idris Wada said this in Lokoja while receiving the elders of Kupa community led by their traditional ruler, Alhaji Muhamadu Kabiru Isah.

Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi said that security had been beefed up in some communities to safeguard lives and property.

Wada decried the wanton destruction of lives and property that accompanied the recent invasion of Ekpan-Abugi community in Kupa district of Lokoja Local Governmet and Bagana community in Omala local government by some fulani herdsmen.

He said that the government was determined to put an end to the violence.

He urged the people in crisis-prone areas to be more vigilant and directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately provide relief for those displaced and injured in the clashes in Ekpan-Abugi and Bagana.

The governor commended the Maiyaki of Kupa, Alhaji Muhamadu Kabiru Isah and the elders of the community for the mature way the crisis was handled.

He appealed to them to continue to work for the peaceful co-existence of all residents of the community.

Earlier, Isah told the governor that seven lives were lost in the violence, while 42 buildings were completely burnt down during the invasion, which he said was carried out by over 200 Fulani herdsmen.

The traditional ruler who stated that he was in the governor’s office to narrate the ordeal of his people in the hands of the invaders said that many tractors, vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles were also destroyed in the violence.

In his remarks, Dr Shehu Idris, the member representing Lokoja II Constituency in the state house of assembly solicited the support of the state government for the victims, who he said lost personal effects running into millions of Naira.

He called for more security presence in the affected community, saying that government should also come to the aid of the victims to give them a fresh start in life.