The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has ordered the suspension of the Ohi of Eganyi and Chairman, Ajaokuta Traditional Area Council, Musa Achuja, with immediate effect.
In a letter to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the governor also directed that the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Mustapha Aka’aba, be queried over Saturday security breach in his area and should reply within 24 hours.
The PUNCH reports that three police officers and five members of local vigilantes were killed on Saturday when suspected bandits ambushed a security team put together by the Divisional Police Officer of Ajaokuta Divisional in response to an intelligence report of suspected bandits invading farms and engaging in illegal activities in the area.
A statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Onogwu, stated that, “The governor strongly warned other traditional rulers across the state who may have connections in one way or the other with criminal elements in their domains to desist forthwith, saying that his administration will deal ruthlessly with anybody who romances with criminal elements no matter how highly placed they are.”
In the same vein, Bello also directed that all unofficial movements of local government chairmen out of their territories and other journeys without due process should stop.
The governor warned that no amount of collusion with criminals would deter him from his primary responsibility of protecting lives and property of the state’s citizens and residents.
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