The Kogi State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
In a motion of urgent public importance moved on the House floor on Wednesday, Sunday Daku, the lawmaker representing the Bassa State Constituency, lamented that numerous people have been killed by unknown gunmen in the local government.
According to him, “Bassa Local Government Area was known for peaceful coexistence, free from tribal, religious, or political divisions, until 2016, when an inter-tribal crisis broke out.
“Former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello carefully managed the crisis, restoring total peace to Bassa Local Government Area, and that peace was sustained until His Excellency, the current governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, took office.
“The relative peace that His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo inherited from his immediate predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is now being disrupted by unknown gunmen who go about killing innocent citizens in Bassa Local Government Area.
“About two months ago, a man went to his farm and met his untimely death at the hands of unknown gunmen. As if that were not enough, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the residents of Sheria Town and nearby suburbs awoke to shocking news when three prominent sons of the area were killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
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“Again, on Thursday, October 24, 2024, two settlers in Sheria were brutally killed by unidentified gunmen.”
The lawmaker urged the Kogi State Government to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further loss of lives in Bassa Local Government Area.
Daku also requested that the government direct security agencies to take swift action to locate the perpetrators and ensure they face the full force of the law.
In his contribution, Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin, the member representing the Ajaokuta State Constituency, stated that the attacks in Bassa LGA are escalating and primarily target farmers.
He said, “These attacks are typically aimed at farmers across local government areas involved in farming activities. We have also observed that human life is being devalued by these acts of violence.
“I have unfortunately seen some graphic images from these incidents, showing beheadings and removed intestines. This is detrimental to our state. Urgent action is required to protect our people.”
Major Enefola of Igalamela called for the removal of some security officers in Bassa LGA, alleging their complicity in the killings of innocent people in the area.
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Yusuf, directed the House Committee on Security to conduct a comprehensive investigation with local vigilantes to uncover the possible causes of the killings in Bassa LGA.
He also urged local security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators so they can face the full force of the law.
