Otunba Olayinka Braimoh, the candidate of Action Alliance in the 2023 Kogi state governorship election, has bemoaned the current level of insecurity in Bunu Land, Kabba-Bunu local government area of the state.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Braimoh said Bunu Land has been neglected and abandoned.
He stated that the harsh reality that must be acknowledged is the severe lack of government’s security measures in Bunu land.
“With the current level of insecurity in Bunu, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi state, it is crystally clear that we have been neglected, abandoned, rejected, and forsaken such that we are now frustrated,” he said.
Braimoh lamented that the people of Bunu Land can no longer go to their farms nor sleep peacefully because of unrelenting attacks on their lands.
“It is no longer a news that unknown gunmen struck the Osomule community this morning, abducting six locals. Simultaneously, civil unrest erupted in Odo-ape due to a supposed letter from bandits warning the community of an impending attack. This is becoming increasingly concerning because it is the same situation in Suku-kiri, Osomule-kiri, Ofere-Kiri and several other communities in Bunu land.
“Why is Bunu land targeted?
“It is widely known that for a long period of time, our people have been unable to farm for their sustenance, and to exacerbate the situation, it has deteriorated to the point where they can no longer sleep peacefully, as the criminals now knock on doors to abduct individuals for ransom, while those who cannot pay face brutal execution. What have we done to deserve this?
“Available data shows that Bunu with 40 towns and villages with land area that is bigger than several local governments in the state does not have a single police station, which is why these audacious kidnappers operate without any opposition. How can we justify such a lack of response from the government?,” he asked.
Braimoh stated that constitutionally, one of the fundamental responsibilities of any government is to ensure the security of lives and property which achievable only through the presence of government security forces.
“Sadly, this is not the reality in Bunu land. We have been left to tackle these challenges on our own. This is truly regrettable. Isn’t it time to seek self-help?
“Is it not an open secret that we have been neglected, rejected, abandoned and forsaken such that we have become frustrated? Are we going to stand idly by and watch helplessly?
“Finding the right answers to these questions will significantly aid us in overcoming our current predicament.”
