APC Progressives Governors’ Forum Condemns Attack On Tawari Community
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Following the recent attack on Tawari Community in Kogi state, the death toll has risen to 29 with a vow by the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to fish out the killers.
The governor gave the assurance when he met with Tawari community at the weekend in Government House, Lokoja on the way forward to track down perpetrators of the dastardly act and to avoid future occurrence.
The governor who held the peace meeting with the paramount rulers and people of Tawari community, called for calm as government is working very hard to restore permanent peace in the area.
According to him, casualty figures has risen to 29 persons as more deaths were discovered from other communities within the district.
Bello who acknowledged the peaceful disposition of the Tawari people , said the attack took place when there was no provocation stressing that his administration will leave no stone unturned to unravel those behind the dastardly act against the communities.
He noted that government on receipt of the distress call acted proactively by drafting security personnel to secure the communities and to provide palliative measures for the people.
Stating that his government would not fold its arms and watch bandits and terrorists unleash mayhem on his people, he insisted that he will adopt a security measures that will be mobile and effective to deal with any security challenges across the state.
He explained that the same methods that worked in Dekina, Bassa and Omala Local Government Areas when they were attacked will be replicated in Tawari to bring lasting solution to insecurity of the area.
He promised to adopt community police to complement the activities of the conventional police whom he said were being overwhelmed with inadequate manpower and lack of knowledge of the local communities.
He urged the traditional rulers, youth groups and opinion moulders in communities across the state to join hands with the government to ensure the success of the new security architecture to rid the state of criminals and people with predatory tendencies.
The Governor however, directed the youth leader and the critical stakeholders of the communities to furnish his office within 24- 48 hours of the level of damage done to individuals for monetary compensation.
Earlier, the youth leader of the Tawari communities which comprises of four villages, Mr Gabriel Ndazago said the initial figure of 24 deaths were recorded in Towari village while five other bodies were picked up from three other communities making it 29 recorded deaths .
He appealed to the government to establish and strengthen the local vigilantes which according to him have the commitment and competence to deal with security infractions within their communities.
He lamented at the frequent killings and kidnapping of Tawari people even in their homes and on the farms with consequences of payment of humongous ransom and in some cases killing of the victims for failing to meet their demands adding that the 2nd January , 2020 attack was the climax of the gruesome murders of his people.
In a remark , the Aguma of Bassa and paramount ruler of Tawari, Alhaji Idris Alhassan Yusuf, commended the government for the prompt response to the crisis and pledge the loyalty of his people to the government and its policies.
He appealed to the government to establish permanent security outpost in the area , reconstruct the damaged infrastructures, opening up the roads to the villages and to provide adequate medicaments for the injured who are receiving treatments in various hospitals and clinics within the area.
The APC Progressives Governor’s Forum has condemned in a strong terms the recent attack on Tawari Community in Kogi state.
The Forum also described the attack as unfortunate and urged security agencies to ensure that those behind the heinous act were brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello over the death of his sister, Hajia Rabietu Bello and killings at Tawari Community at the weekend.
Senator Bagudu who was received in Government House, Lokoja by Governor Bello, his deputy, Edward Onoja and some top government officials said he was in the state on behalf of the Progressives Governors Forum to sympathise with governor Bello over the recent loss of his sister and the killings at Tawari recently.
He prayed God to repose the soul of the late Rabietu and grant fortitude to the governor as well as other members of the deceased’s family to bear the huge loss.
Senator Bagudu equally stated that his visit was also to sympathize with the government and people of Kogi State over the recent attack on One of the communities in the state which led to loss of some lives and destruction of property.
In his response, Governor Yahaya Bello thanked the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Senator Bagudu for the visit and identifying with him and government of Kogi at their trying moments.
