Ododo commends military for restoring peace to Kogi communities

The Kogi State Governor. Ahmed Ododo, has hailed the efforts of the Nigerian military for restoring peace to communities ravaged by crises in Omala Local Government of the state.

Ododo gave the commendation while on a security tour to the military Forward Operating Base at Bagana community in Omala on Monday.

The communities had been embroiled in several clashes over the years, the latest being on April 4 when 23 people were killed during herders/farmers clashes in Bagana, Odu and Abejukolo communities over farmland dispute, while property and several houses worth millions of naira were razed.

The governor, while addressing the officers and men of the FOB, expressed his happiness over the military’s efforts in bringing lasting peace to the area.

“I am here to sincerely appreciate the officers and men of the military forward operating base for the great job you are doing in restoring peace to the Bagana community and its environment.

“My coming here today is to reaffirm my commitment to serve my people, especially at the grassroots to ensure that their lives and livelihoods are safe and secure.

“The last time I came to this community for on-the-spot assessment after the crises, I wept when I saw the level of destruction as well as lives that were lost.

“Then, I promised to facilitate the establishment of a military forward operating base in this community, and today the promise has been fulfilled,” he said.

Ododo appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his full support towards ensuring adequate protection for the lives and property of the people of the state.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to continue to give total support to the military and other security agencies in ensuring the safety of lives and property of residents.

The governor, who thereafter held a brief meeting with the leaders and people of the community, urged the residents to continue to embrace peace and avoid being used as agents of destruction by selfish politicians.

“I want to beg all of you my people to continue to embrace peace to bring development to your community.

“The security men are here to protect you and your property and I urge you to give them your full support to aid their effective performance in protecting your lives and property.

“Some few politicians because of their selfish interest, are now using politics to deceive me and you; we will not allow them to destroy us.

“I have signed to protect your interests and I will never play with your affairs. Politics is over and it is time for good governance,” Ododo said.

Earlier, the Chairman, Omala LG, Mark Edigbo, commended the governor for his tireless efforts towards bringing lasting solutions to the incessant crises in the area.

Edigbo noted that 23 people were killed and property destroyed during the last communal crisis on April 4.

He added that no crisis had been recorded since the governor visited the community last in May 2024, and commended the governor for visiting Omala three times this year.

“Your Excellency, we appreciate you for fulfilling your promise to establish FOB and for your full support to ensure that peace is restored to the people of Bagana and the entire Omala LG.

“Bagana is sharing boundaries with Nassarawa and Benue States and had been bedeviled with incessant communal crises. But since you came to Bagana in May 2024, we have not witnessed any kind of crisis till now.

“You have done a great job for Omala people and we are proud of you. We are fully ready to give you our total support now and in the future,” Edigbo said.

He, however, appealed to the governor to help in the full rehabilitation of Omala township road, upgrade their market to ultra-modern status boost the economy of the people.

Also speaking, the Onu Ife and Chairman Omala Traditional Council, Boniface Musa, commended the governor for his timely intervention and commitment to seeing that peace and normalcy were restored to Omala.

The royal father also appreciated the governor for the ongoing rehabilitation of Abejukolo township road.

The monarch, however solicited for the governor’s intervention in restoring electricity supply to the entire Omala LG, stressing that the area had no power supply since 2013.

The traditional ruler promised the determination of the people of Omala to remain loyal and supportive to Ododo’s administration for his leadership quality and love for his people.

The governor was accompanied by the Commander 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo; Commander NNS Lugard, T. Senibi; and the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara rtd, among others.