By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has directed the suspension of the Ohi of Eganyi and Chairman, Ajaokuta Traditional Area Council, HRH Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja with immediate effect.
The suspension is contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary,Onogwu Muhammed
in Lokoja.
The governor’s directive, Muhammed added, was in connection with the recent security breach which led to the killing of some security personnel who were on their legitimate engagements to maintain law and order in Ajaokuta Local Governnent Area of the state.
In a letter to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kogi State, Bello also directed that the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Mustapha Aka’aba, be queried over the security breach, adding that he should reply within 24 hours.
The governor’s aide qouted his boss as strongly warning other traditional rulers across the state who might have connection, in one way or the other, with criminal elements in their domains to desist forthwith.
According to the governor, his administration would deal ruthlessly with anybody who romances with criminal elements, no matter how highly placed he or she may be.
The governor further warned that no amount of connivance with criminals would deter him from his fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens and residents of the state.
Similarly,Bello directed that all unofficial movements of the local government council chairmen in the state,out of their territory and other journeys without due process, had been restricted.
The Reporters recalls that suspected bandits killed three policemen and five members of Kogi State Vigilante Service in Jidda Bassa community in Ajaokuta Local Government area of Kogi State.
According to residents of the community,they noticed some strange movements in the area and they promptly reported to the Divisional Police Officer(DPO), who dispatched the security personnel to the area.
The Special Adviser to the state governor on security,retired Commodore Jerry Omodara,who confirmed the incident to Journalists in Lokoja on Saturday,said the security men were ambushed and killed on Saturday afternoon by the bandits on their way to attend to distress calls by the residents.
