As Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrives her senatorial district on Tuesday morning for her Homecoming visit, the first since her suspension by the Senate after she raised sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Kogi state government has banned all forms of rallies and convoys.
This, the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said, is to prevent any form of security breach that could destabilize the Confluence State.
In a statement by the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Kinsley Fanwo, on Monday, the State government noted: “This decision has been necessitated by intelligence reports indicating that certain individuals are plotting to infiltrate the State under the guise of organising rallies, using fake security personnel to foment trouble and compromise the security of law-abiding citizens of our dear State.”
It added that to frustrate their action, the State government has to be proactive in order to safeguard lives and property of the citizens of the State.
The statement further stated: “Intelligence reports point to the fact that some elements are planning to stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations in Kogi Central to create breach of law and order.
“Some security threats were threatening the peace of the State in Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi West even as fishing activities have resulted in serious crisis, leading to the loss of two lives.
“In Ankpa Local Government Area, specifically in Enjema District, a communal clash between Ika-Odele and Ika Ochala is threatening the peace of Kogi East.
“These flashes of disturbances are raising tension in the state and threatening to breach public peace and security. In view of this, and effective immediately, the Kogi State Government has placed a total ban on all forms of rallies or public gatherings that have the potential to disrupt public peace.
“In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining law and order, the Kogi State Government has directed that any individual or group entering the State with a convoy of security personnel must obtain prior clearance from State commands of the deploying services.
“This measure is to ensure proper profiling and verification of all security operatives accompanying such convoys.”
In the same vein, the State government has “directed all the Local Government Chairmen to take charge of security in their domains, while urging community leaders and opinion moulders to talk to their people on the need to sustain the relative peace in the State and back the State Government to continue to deliver democracy dividends to the great people of Kogi State.”
