In a bid to restore peace and prevent further unrest in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Ododo convened an emergency security meeting in Lokoja on Monday.
The meeting was aimed at addressing the tensions between the indigenes of Isanlu and the Fulani settlers following the alleged killing of a Fulani individual by members of the community.
The Governor called for the emergency session to hear from both parties involved, ensuring that their grievances were addressed while taking proactive steps to prevent any potential reprisal attacks that could further destabilize the region.
A statement from the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that the meeting was a success. Both the Isanlu and Fulani representatives agreed to embrace peace and work towards maintaining harmony in the area.
Fanwo disclosed that Governor Ododo had cut short a trip to Abuja, where he was due to receive an award, to urgently address the rising security concerns in Isanlu. The Governor held a robust dialogue with both the Isanlu community and the Fulani leaders at the Government House in Lokoja, where he listened to their concerns and provided guidance.
During the meeting, Governor Ododo condemned the killing of the Fulani individual, emphasizing that such actions were unacceptable and would not be tolerated. He made it clear that those responsible would face the full force of the law. The Governor further directed that certain traditional ruler in the affected areas be thoroughly investigated to uncover the root cause of the violence. As part of the measures, one traditional ruler was suspended for his role in the incident.
Governor Ododo urged the leaders of the Isanlu community to take responsibility and prevent any future acts of violence. He called on them to assist in identifying and reporting any criminal elements within the community, stressing that his administration would pursue all criminals regardless of their background or ethnicity in an effort to maintain security across the state.
“The Governor has made it clear that no criminal will be spared, and it is imperative that the Isanlu community works hand-in-hand with law enforcement to ensure that the rule of law prevails,” Fanwo stated.
The Governor also commended the Fulani community for showing restraint and not resorting to reprisal attacks, demonstrating maturity and a commitment to peace. He praised the leadership of the Fulani in Kogi State for their continued support of the administration’s security efforts, acknowledging their role in maintaining stability in the region.
The emergency meeting was attended by top government officials, security agencies, community leaders, and Fulani representatives from the area. The Chairman of the Local Government Area, Dare Joshua, expressed gratitude to Governor Ododo for his swift intervention, which helped avert a potential security crisis in Yagba East.
