BY SENATOR DINO MELAYE
The depressing news of the gruesome murder and mindless destruction of the defenceless people of Agojeju-Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, by suspected herdsmen, has again highlighted the utmost imperative and urgency to reinforce the protection of communities in Omala Local Government, in particular, and the people of Kogi State in General.
The Omala attack is of major concern, because of the unending attacks and massive destruction of innocent citizens in the area in the last ten years by strangers. The only crime of the people is the habitation of their God given land.
According to reports, not only were lives and property destroyed, even crops and harvests were also destroyed, thereby not just cutting off precious lives but even cutting of lifelines for the survivors of the unprovoked attack. Worse still, this is happening at a time many of them are observing fasting.
While appreciating the efforts of security agencies in curtailing the attacks at great personal risks, it is time that effective preventive security structures were deployed around the flashpoiints of insecurity around the state.
To this end, the National Security Adviser is requested to make the fortification of vulnerable communities an integral part of the National security architecture. In fact, there’s an urgency to declare security emergency in Kogi State in view of the various forms of insecurity bordering on herdsmen attack, kidnapping and robbery across the geographically exposed Kogi State.
Whereas the constitution of Nigeria guarantees the rights to movement and livelihood, the penchant of herdsmen to terminate lives at will strikes at the very essence of a quintessential right, the right to life.
It is indefensible that those who perpetrate these attacks against communities are not often apprehended and made to face the law. Crime without consequences can only promote perpetuation.
It is remarkable to note that some of the security problems in Kogi State are traceable to poorly formulated policies, inspired by personal idiosyncrasies rather than on what delivers the greatest good to the greatest number, rooted in peace, protection and prosperity. It time the shortcomings of these policies are reviewed.
I call on the National Emergency Management Agency and public spirited organisations and individuals to send food and shelter materials to the people of Agojeju-Odo, to enable them overcome the destruction and devastation in good time.
My sympathy and prayers are with the people of Agojeju-Odo and Omala Local Government Area.
God bless Kogi State.
