The sociocultural association of the Yoruba speaking part of Kogi State, Okun Development Association (ODA) has decried the spate of robbery, killings and kidnappings in Okun land, by dreaded gunmen suspected to be herders and members of ISWAP.
A statement by Secretary-General of ODA, Chief Ben Ayo Abereoran (ALARA) made available to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja, urged the Federal and State Governments, and their security apparatus to urgently rise up to their responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people.
According to the Secretary-General, the call was prompted by the recent increase in the abduction of some indigenes of Mopa/Amuro and Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas in the Western part of the state.
The association called for improved security in the area towards nipping the recent upsurge in robbery, killings and kidnappings in the entire Okun land and Kogi State in general.
“The Okun Development Association is making a clarion call to all security apparatus in the country to come and save us from kidnapping, savagery, banditry and killings being carried out by dreaded, black-hooded ISWAP.
“The Okun Nation has been under siege of these criminals since 8th of July 2021, when they attacked a couple driving in their car along Okeagi – Imela road (between Mopamuro and Yagba east LGA) with sporadic gunshots on their car and left them dead.
“A farmer who was trying to help was mercilessly beaten to stupor after several gunshots couldn’t enter his body.
“On Saturday 10th of 2021, the marauders also kidnapped four persons; a man and three women in Mopamuro LGA.
“As if that was not enough, their gang further kidnapped an easy-going owner of Lifted Pharmacy on 13th July 2021, in Kabba. Only God knows who will be the next victim,” the association said.
The association, therefore, called on the security agencies to come to the rescue of Okun nation, to secure their land and fast track the release of all the kidnapped victims.
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