Bello condemns okene violence, vows punishment for offenders

KOGI state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday condemned recent attacks by hoodlums on some political leaders in the Kogi central senatorial district with a vow to punish the perpetrators.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Petra Onyegbule, said he had directed the relevant security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice irrespective of political parties or personalities involved.

She stated that the governor sent a delegation led by his special adviser on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Abubakar Ohere, to Okene in pursuance of lasting peace and tranquillity in the land, and to reassure them of his commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property of every resident of Kogi State.

The statement said Ohere visited the homes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains that were attacked and gave them the governor’s assurances that their attackers would be apprehended and prosecuted.

“This government under my watch will not condone any form of crime or violence in any part of the state, the government is responsible for the security of lives and property of all residents of Kogi irrespective of political affiliation; it is a core responsibility that shall never be compromised.

“Perpetrating violence, destruction of properties and disturbing the public peace and security that this government has invested so much to attain, all in the name of political support and thuggery is alien to our great party APC and especially to my government. We will therefore not condone any act of violence or attack against innocent persons who are law abiding.

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“We are assuring the general public that appropriate actions are being taken by the security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice”, the statement quoted Bello

The governor appealed to the people of the state to embrace peace, unity, love one another, be law abiding and go about their normal businesses.

The governor, however, refuted the allegations by the opposition PDP, accusing the ruling party of masterminding such attacks, and advised the PDP to stop playing to the gallery.