Kogi Assembly urges Gov. Ododo to rebuild communities affected by Omala crisis

By, Mark Akudu, Kogi

The Kogi State House of Assembly has appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to urgently renovate Abejukolo General Hospital and basic healthcare as well as educational facilities in the communities affected by the crisis in Omala Local Government Area of the State.

The lawmakers made the appeal during the House plenary sitting on Thursday in a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency, Hon Umar Yahaya urging the House to commend Governor Ododo for deploying Joint Security Personnel’s to the crisis areas of Omala and appealing to the government to put in place measures for rebuilding the devastated communities.

According to him, this would ensure that those returning residents who were affected by the crisis have access to medical care and educational opportunities, particularly as people begin to resettle in their ancestral homes due to improved security.

He appealed to the Kogi State Government to prioritize the rebuilding of the communities affected by these repeated attacks, specifically Bagana, Agojeju-Odoh, Agbenema, Iyade, and other villages within Omala Local Government.

He commended Governor Ododo for deploying the joint security personnel to curtail incessant crises in Bagana, Agojeju-Odo, and environs in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

His words “Recall that the year 2024 began with a wave of brutal attacks on my Constituency, Omala LGA, with murderous assaults by well-armed Fulani herdsmen, leading to the tragic loss of lives and displacement of countless citizens.

“Further recall that on April 4, 2024, for the second time this year, over 200 Fulani herdsmen attacked Agojeju-Odoh, Omala LGA, resulting in the deaths of 25 men, women, and children, after a previous unprovoked attack on January 30, 2024, in which four men were also killed.

“Cognisant of these facts, the attacks have left the entire communities sacked and abandoned, with survivors forced into destitution and reliant on neighbouring villages that have also been threatened by subsequent assaults.

“in response to duty, The governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, along with State Security Service Chiefs, visited Omala on May 4, 2024, during the crisis, and committed to taking effective steps to curb this violent trend and secure the area, including the establishment of a military Forward Operating Base (FOB) and the deployment of troops.

“The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo has fulfilled this commitment, and joint troops from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) have been deployed to Bagana and other affected areas, restoring relative peace and security to the communities affected.

“The Speaker and Members, I seek your support for this motion to appreciate and honour the commitment of the State Government to these resilient communities and to reaffirm our dedication to peace, security and the well-being of every citizen.

“I move that this House expresses deep appreciation to the governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his decisive actions and commitment in ensuring the deployment of Nigerian military forces to Omala LGA, which has significantly contributed to restoring peace and stability in the area.

Yahaya seized the opportunity to request the leadership of the house to mandate its Peace and Security Committee or any other Committee of the house to provide oversight to ensure the continuation and completion of these restoration projects, recognizing the immediate needs and the right of the affected communities to resume normalcy, dignity, and safety in their daily lives.

Seconding the motion, Usman Ochidi, member representing Dekina/Biraidu State Constituency noted that the cardinal responsibility of any government is to provide adequate security for his people. “We are all aware of what happened in Omala before his Excellency’s visit. After then, peace has finally returned to the crisis area.

“This is a welcome development and we must appreciate Governor Ododo. The Governor should help us to provide all the social amenities, especially the hospital for the affected victims in the crisis area to return to their homes”.

On his part, Olawunmi Jacob from Mopa-Muro State Constituency while aligning himself with the prayers outlined by the mover of the motion said peace remains a factor for development in any society.

Major Enefola, lawmaker representing Igalamela Odolu Constituency also commended the joint security task force for their proactive measures and efforts in maintaining peace in the area

He wanted the Kogi State Government to replicate the deployment of Joint Security Personnel’s in other crisis prone areas in Kogi State.

Explaining further, the lawmaker said “It is very disheartening to wake up and witness the needless deaths of our citizens. This must stop”.

Adding his voice, the member representing Adavi State Constituency Asema Baba Haruna while commending the mover of the motion prayed that such ugly incident will not happen again in the State.

The member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin said the construction of the health sector is pivotal in reawakening any community. “The renovation of Abejukolo hospital is very key for the people while we are also aware that other things are important,”he added.

In his contributions, the member represented the Lokoja I State Constituency. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani also joined his colleagues in commending the State Government for the swift response in restoring peace in the affected crisis areas.

He said ” My ancestral home is Bagana. Some of my uncles and aunties that left the village back to Lokoja are returning back to Omala. We must commend Governor Ododo for a job well done”.

Ruling on the motion, the Deputy Speaker of the House Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba who presided over the plenary thanked Governor Ododo for fulfilling his commitments in restoring peace in Agojeju-Odoh and its environs.