His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
As the President and Executive Chief in Command of Nigeria’s security, we, the Igala people, write to bring to your attention the security challenges Kogi East is faced with, which significantly impact our economic facet in agriculture and production.
The Igala people are renowned for their exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, innovative prowess, and agricultural productivity. However, the current insecurity fueled by Fulani Herdsmen, banditry, and kidnapping is eroding the socioeconomic vision of the Central Confluence Resources that upholds the nation.
Areas such as Oganenegwu and Okete in Dekina Local Government Area, Bagada and some villages in Omala Local Government Area, and the Igalamela axis are being terrorized by Fulani Herdsmen. Additionally, Agegwu, Allo, Ojodu, Ogbabo, Ochadamu, and Okabo have become notorious for kidnappings, with victims being taken to unknown dens.
This has made it challenging for our people to trade or travel safely due to the prevailing security situation. While we have sought the intervention of the Ata Igala and our spiritual guides to assemble our warlords and invoke ancestral deities to safeguard our terrain, we urgently seek your intervention to deploy transparent, high-integrity personnel from relevant security units.
We propose collaboration with the use of drones and advanced security technologies to effectively end insecurity and criminal activities, creating a conducive environment for citizens to coexist peacefully and activate innovative assets into action for sustainable development.
The problem is well-known, and we believe it can be addressed with federal machineries working in synergy with locals at the grassroots level to enjoy lasting peace and attract growth. To this end, we recommend that the proposed military base at Anyigba, Iyale road, be established with the provision of necessary infrastructures and working tools.
Additionally, Bagada should have the presence of naval personnel to tackle insecurity in that area effectively. Given Nigeria’s pool of talented individuals inventing drones and technologies, we suggest leveraging their services to design a framework for security operations that can be implemented by security agencies in accord with locals at the grassroots level.
It is more strategic to utilize our initiatives to find solutions to our problems rather than seeking help from others who may have hidden motives contrary to our objectives.
Furthermore, we plead with the Federal Government to facilitate the construction of critical infrastructure, including the Ganaja-Chintaku bridge, Bassa-Anyigba road, Ganaja village-Anyigba road, Agegwu-Idah Road, Idah-Odolu road, Idah-Ibaji road, Ogbabo to Abocho to Ajiolo roads, Ebeje-Oganenigu to Dekina-Agbada roads, Ogodu-Egume road, Ejule to Okpo-Ankpa, and Omala-Ankpa road, Ankpa to Ojoku-Okaba roads.
The deplorable state of these roads and the lack of alternative routes connecting us to the capital are significant contributors to the insecurity in the zone, affecting farming and trading, and ultimately leading to poverty in the land of abundance.
Our land is endowed with fertile soil spread across for farming, treasured aquatic potentials at Idah, Ochadamu, Okura, Olofu, Agbenema, Gbagada, Sharia, Itobe, Lokoja, Koto Karfi, rich natural facets all over, abundant human elements in the zone, and mineral resources such as crude oil in Ibaji, cement and ceramic products at Itobe, Ofu LGA, precious stones, uranium, and coal in Dekina, and coal in Ankpa.
These resources have the potential to boost revenue and attract sustainable development for the benefit of all. In ensuring equity, we urge you to consider appointing Igala intellectual personalities to key positions within the North Central Development Commission as our representatives to influence federal government projects in the zone.
Given that Igala is the ninth largest tribe in Nigeria, it is fitting that we are well-represented in decision-making processes concerning the nation.
May God guide our path to greatness and bless our nation as we seek social justice for the ultimate transformation of Kogi East.
CC: Director-General, Department of State Services; National Security Adviser; Inspector-General of Police; Chief of Air Staff; Chief of Defence Staff; Chief of Naval Staff.
*_Hon. Ichaba A. Ilemona, Ph.D*_
_President,_
_Solidarity Organization for Ultimate Transformation and Social Justice,
Confluence Arise Edge Concepts,
Ayegba Oma’Idoko Movement for Igala Development_
