Kogi bans Koton Karfe traditional procession to forestall crisis

The Kogi State Government has banned traditional processions in Koton Karfe in The Kogi Local Government Area of the state due to insecurity.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, announced the ban in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lokoja.

Fanwo said security reports indicated that all was not well in the Koton Kafe community, following alleged plans by some people to foment trouble in the area.

He said that the ban was aimed at maintaining peace in Koton karfe and its environs in the Kogi Local Government  Area.

“The proactive ban is aimed at curbing plans by some elements in the area to disturb the peace of the ancient town.

“Governor Usman Ododo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to peaceful co-existence among all Koton karfe people.

“He will always leave his doors open to listen to complaints and grievances rather than resort to violence,” he said.

The commissioner urged all concerned to strictly abide by the ban, warning that violators would be treated as enemies of peace and the state.

He said that the decision by the government was aimed at protecting the rights of the Koton Karfe people and all citizens.

Fanwo urged law enforcement agents to enforce the ban in accordance with the laws of the land.

According to him, Koton Karfe people should be committed to peace and harmony as the government is prepared to protect them from violence.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that former governor, Yahaya Bello, on January 8, removed Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah-Koto as the Ohimege-Igu Koton Karfe.

Isah-Koto was also the Chairman, Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area  Traditional Council.

NAN reports that Isah-Koto, who was removed and deposed to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger, was replaced with Alhaji Saidu Akawu-Salihu.

Meanwhile, Governor Ododo, on Tuesday, approved funds for the rehabilitation of old Lokoja Water Works which had been surbmerged since the  2022 flood disaster.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Yahaya  Farouk,  disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja.

Farouk explained that the plant is intended to supply water to some areas of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, pending the completion of repairs at the Greater Lokoja Water Works which was damaged by floods in 2012.

According to the commissioner, the state government is taking pragmatic steps to replace equipment submerged at the Greater Lokoja Water Works and the project will take at least 12 months to complete.

“Before Friday, contractors will resume work for the rehabilitation of old Lokoja water works. It has been approved and cashed back by the Governor of Kogi State. Within the shortest possible time, water supply will return to Lokoja metropolis,” Farouk said.