Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has taken decisive action in response to the killing of a-yet-to-be identified Fulani man who resides in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area.
The governor ordered the suspension of a traditional ruler allegedly linked to the incident and directed the interrogation of other traditional leaders in the affected area to uncover the full details of the crisis.
This decision followed an emergency security meeting convened by the governor, who cut short a scheduled trip to Abuja, where he was to receive an award. The meeting, attended by government officials, security agencies, community leaders, and Fulani representatives, aimed to address the crisis and prevent potential reprisal attacks by the Fulani community.
In a statement released on Saturday by Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Governor Ododo condemned the act of taking the law into one’s hands and assured that those responsible for the killing would face justice.
He warned Isanlu community leaders to ensure their residents refrain from actions that could escalate insecurity in Yagba East and the broader Yagba Federal Constituency. The governor emphasized the need to identify and hand over criminal elements within their communities to law enforcement authorities.
“The governor made it clear that his administration will pursue every criminal in the state, regardless of their ethnic background, and no offender will be spared,” the statement read.
Governor Ododo also commended the Fulani community for their restraint and commitment to peace despite the tragic incident. He expressed gratitude to Fulani leaders for supporting the state’s security initiatives and maintaining peace in the area.
The Chairman of Yagba East Local Government, Dare Joshua, praised the governor’s swift intervention, which he said prevented a major security breakdown in the region.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting all residents of Kogi State while emphasizing that lawlessness and criminality would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
