Ododo warns against jungle justice amid rising tensions in Kogi

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has strongly condemned acts of vigilantism following the alleged killing of a Fulani settler in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area last week.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Ododo emphasised the need to uphold the rule of law and cautioned against individuals taking justice 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 meeting sought to restore peace, maintain security, and prevent potential reprisal attacks 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.”

Governor Ododo urged the leaders of the Isanlu community to warn their subjects against engaging in activities that contribute to insecurity in Yagba East and the entire Yagba Federal Constituency.

He called for the identification and handover of criminal elements within the community to law enforcement agencies, adding 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 urged them to ensure that criminal elements among them are reported and handed over to law enforcement agencies to curb insecurity in the area.”

The statement further noted that the meeting was successful, with both parties agreeing to the governor’s call for peace.

Governor Ododo assured all residents of the state of his commitment to protecting lives and property while reaffirming that no criminal would be spared.

He also commended the Fulani community in the area for resisting the temptation to launch a reprisal attack over the incident, thanking them for their maturity, understanding, and commitment to peace.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Fulani leadership in the state for supporting his administration’s security initiatives, noting that their efforts to maintain peace are well-documented and appreciated.

The emergency security meeting was attended by top government officials, security agencies, community leaders, and representatives of the Fulani community.

The Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area, Hon. Dare Joshua, thanked Governor Ododo for his swift intervention, which helped avert a major security breakdown in the area.