The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Friday, paid a visit to Iyańo in Ibaji Local Government Area following the recent communal crisis between Ishi and Itale communities.
He was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu.
Governor Ododo was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba; the State Security Adviser, Rtd. Commander Jerry Omodara; the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma; and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Hillary Ojoma Egwudah.
Also part of the delegation were officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Idah Area Command, the Military, local vigilante services, and other security stakeholders.
The Governor’s visit was aimed at assessing the situation firsthand, restoring calm, and reassuring residents of the government’s commitment to peace, security, and protection of lives and property in the affected areas.
Addressing residents of the two communities during the visit, Governor Ododo called on members of the affected communities to embrace peace and avoid actions capable of causing more fight. He assured them that his administration would continue to work closely with security agencies and community leaders to ensure lasting peace and stability in the area.
The Governor further reiterated the commitment of the Kogi State Government to safeguarding lives and property across all parts of the state, while urging youths, elders and community leaders to stay away from crime, cooperate with security agencies in maintaining law and order.
He urged the people to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the state government would take necessary steps to prevent a recurrence and ensure lasting peace in the area.
Ealier in his remarks, Mr. Idah Ojone explained that the misunderstanding between the two communities began in 2020 following disagreements over ownership of palm fruits, yam produce, and fish ponds located within the disputed area. According to him, efforts to resolve the matter at the traditional council level were unsuccessful, leading both parties to seek legal redress in court.
He noted that despite the court process, there had been series of reprisal attacks between youths of the two communities over the years, with the recent crisis resulting in loss of lives and destruction of valuable property. He, however, thanked the Kogi State Government for its swift intervention and commitment towards restoring peace in the area.
On his part, the state Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), said that the state alongside the security agencies and the communities, would go into the root causes of the problem and address them to avoid reoccurrence, saying that blames will not be apportioned to either parties.
Earlier, Governor Ododo paid a condolence visit to the Ejeh Ibaji and Chairman of the Ibaji Local Government Traditional Council, His Royal Highness John Egwemi, at his palace, where he commiserated with the royal father and the entire people of Ibaji over the loss of lives and destruction of property recorded during the crisis.
The visit comes amid ongoing efforts by the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and security authorities to restore normalcy and avoid future occurrence, following the crisis between Ishi and Itale communities.
