While Muslims in other communities, in and around Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, gathered at the praying ground to give supplication to Almighty Allah for keeping them in peace and harmony, in Enjema community, that was not the case. The community was ablaze, with wailing and crying, two persons were killed, 10 houses burnt and properties worth N25 million were destroyed.
An uneasy calm still pervades the Enjema community in Ankpa local government area of Kogi State as supporters of Yunisa Ameh and Momo Oganaji went berserk on Sallah day, at the praying ground in Enjema, over who the substantive Onu (chief) of the community is.
Speaking with our reporter on the incident, a community elder, Adamu Salifu, maintained that it all started when the two members, who lay claim to ‘Onu Enjema’ title, came to the praying ground with their supporters, all in chieftaincy regalia.
He said that Yunisa Ameh was on the throne on appointment but due to a court ruling, which was not in his favour, it was compulsory for him to vacate the seat for the court ruling to have its way to install Momo Oganaji but that wasn’t it. He came with his supporters to the praying ground with a ram.
Both of them dared the tradition and wore the royal bids and regalia to the praying ground, a clear aberration of the traditional and cultural norms of Enjema people, and a negation of the administrative set up of the ancient town.
The administrator of Ankpa local government, Hon Abdullahi Mohammed, while speaking with our reporter in Ankpa, stated that it took intervention of the security operatives, led by the Naval personnel, police and local JTF, to bring the situation under control but before they could reach the community, a lot of havoc had been wreaked.
However, the administrator stressed, “the situation is under control since the security operatives entered, intervened and took control of the community of Enjema.
“We will get to the root of the matter to unravel the mystery and those found wanting will be brought to book.”
While urging everybody to go about their normal business, Hon Mohammed opined that the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, has zero tolerance for violence and crime in any part of the state.
Confirming the incident of the Sallah tragedy yesterday to Leadership Weekend, the police spokesman in Kogi State police command, ASP William Aya, stated that the command has taken full inventory of the incident and the principal actors are giving useful information to the police.
Credit: Leadership Weekend
Photo Credit: Islam Platform
