The Executive Chairman of Ajaokuta local government council of Kogi state, Hon. Akaaba Aliyu Mustapha, has suspended all activities connected with the ongoing Eche’ane festival with immediate effect.
In a statement he signed and made to Journalists in Lokoja on Thursday, the chairman said his decision was based on his proactive step to check violence, based on informed intelligence gathering.
“As a government, it is not in our norms to tamper with our age-long festivity. But as the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, I am duty-bound to uphold the sanctity of human lives.
“In view of the misunderstanding that ensued earlier today, we wish to downplay all activities capable of aggravating the issue as government will not fold its arms and watch our hard earned peaceful coexistence being shredded into pieces.
“I have, therefore, encouraged all the security agencies (Nigeria Army, the DSS, Police, NSCDC, the state & Local Government Vigilantes and every other law enforcement agencies), to take immediate punitive action against anyone who makes attempt to disobey this order.
“I have also issued a notification to all our esteemed traditional rulers to assist in implementation of this order. Whoever is intending to flout this order should know that cultural festivals are better enjoyed in an atmosphere devoid of rancour.
“As a responsible government, we will try all our best within the ambit of law,to ensure enthronement of peace and order,” the statement read.
