By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh.
Governor Yahaya Bello has vowed to bring to justice, attackers of fire service men of the Federal Fire Service, Kogi State Command and their machine, while on an official duty to put off a fire incident in Lokoja recently.
He gave the promise in his apology message, through the Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Ohere to the Controller General, Federal Fire Service over on the issue.
The governor regretted condemned in strong terms the actions of the miscreants and disgruntled elements who attacked the men, adding that they were legitimately carrying out their official duty.
Governor Bello thanked men of the command for all the support they they always give to the State, assuring them that everything humanly possible would be done to arrest and bring the perpetrators to book, adding that the state government would manage the injured staff with full repair of the vehicle.
“Thank you for your continued love for the State as we pray that similar incidence will not repeat itself,”he said.
The governor, who further that more security would be provided for the Command, made a presentation of N100,000, through the Assistant Controller, to be delivered to the sick with a promise to also visit the injured officer.
Meanwhile,to buttress the seriousness of the State Government assurances to the Command, Engr. Abubakar Ohere disclosed that a high powered delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to immediately visit the Kogi State Command of the Federal Fire Service.
The delegation was received by the Assistant Controller, Omolola Tolushe, where the message of the State Government was delivered.
The delegation appreciated the interventions of the Command in the State and also frowned at the ugly incident on men and their equipment while in the course of their official duty.
The delegation disclosed that the Police had been mandated to fish out the culprits who attacked the officers and the vehicle.
Similarly, the State Government delegation, led by Permanent Secretary in the state visited the injured and made an assessment on the level of damage to the vehicle for necessary repairs.
The Assistant Controller in her response, expressed delight on the prompt response by the Kogi State Government, saying that the injured had been discharged from the hospital.
She, however, disclosed that the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service had ordered for the deployment of all the vehicles, including the damaged one, to the headquarters in Abuja before the arrival of the State Government delegation.
The State Government has, however, directed the Director of the State Fire Service to interact with the Assistant Controller on modalities to return the vehicles with provision for more security to protect men and equipment of the State Command while discharging their duties.
