On the 27th day of November, 2014, the crises between the people of Abugi and Fulani herdsmen started and when the information came to our Representatives (Hon. Aliyu Baba Usman and Hon. Dr, Idris Shehu) they went to the Police Headquarters Lokoja to formally informed the security agent and on the same day, 10 men of of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) were mobilized and sent to Abugi but the officers left the town when the situation became tense. The Council Chairman foots the bill.
On the 28th day of November, 2014, the Fulani herdsmen took the advantage of the absence of the security agents and set Houses, Cars and valuable properties ablaze and also killed some members of the community.
Hon. Aliyu Baba Usman and Hon. Dr, Idris Shehu went to mobilized 30 men of the NPF to Abugi with their 1 week allowances, Feeding and transportation taking care of just to bring the crises under control.
Saturday 29th day of November, 2014, further step was taking by Hon. Aliyu Baba Usman and Hon. Dr, Idris Shehu to invite the Secretary general of the “MIYETI ALLAH ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL” to Kogi State with a view to find lasting solution to the crises and of course he has to be taking care of, accommodation, feeding, transportation and allowances, after meeting up with his demands (“MIYETI ALLAH ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL”) the man came down to Lokoja the State capital but towards evening and they have to make the journey the next day which was Sunday 30th day of November, 2014 to Kupa to plead with the both parties to cease fire. It was at this journey they meet some elders of Fulani herdsmen at Gungurugi and they were asked by the “MIYETI ALLAH ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL” to stop for him to talk to with them so as to enable him know where to start the settlement and he agreed with them to meet at the palace in Abugi.
But after getting to Abugi the Fulani herdsmen called the Secretary that based on their experience in Benue recently, they are not coming to the Palace but the Secretary should meet them at Zango and he went, after several minutes of waiting for him without seeing him, Hon. Aliyu B. Usman(Chairman), Hon. (Dr) Shehu Idris (Assembly Member) and HRH the Maiyaki of Kupa decided to pick the Secretary from Zango to assess the level of damages done in the Community by the Fulani herdsmen, it was rough for them getting to Zango as they had to pray to God before they came out from there. From there they proceeded to Abu-kpan for assessment and on returned to the Palace, the Secretary too returned from Zango and he advised that based on his discussions and conclusion with his people, its better those (Fulani herdsmen) that were invited to help in fighting to leave the community and that will bring an end to all the crises but his people complained of transportation out of the area.
The Chairman gave them the sum of ?20,000 naira for the purpose of transporting them out of the community and when the Assembly Member was coming out of the Palace the Youths walked up to him and he gave the Youths in the Community the sum of ?50,000 naira and the Assembly member foot the bill for the trip.
Another step was also taken this time by the Assembly Member and some members from Kupa based in Lokoja to SEMA office and the office directed them to meet with the Government so as to follow due process and directive from the Government, The Assembly Member booked an appointment with His Excellency, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi on behalf of the affected community and he was joined by HRH the Maiyaki of Kupa and some members of the community to visit the government to brief the Deputy Governor. He gave assurance of Government assistance to the community and by God grace, that the community will receive tents and some relief materials this week and the reconstruction of the burnt houses will start as soon as the Governor returns.
– Suleiman Kinami
