DESPITE a warning by the Kogi State Police Command and directive by the state government, the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly has vowed to proceed with the scheduled rally asking his constituents to state governor, Usman Ododo, immediate past governor, Yahaya Bello and Senate President, Godswill Akapbio responsible if anything goes wrong.
The embattled senator who was recently suspended for six months from the Senate and currently facing the possibility of being recalled from the legislative house posted on her Facebook page the following:
“My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our PEACEFUL Sallah celebrations today. However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Òdodo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible”.
Also, earlier in the day, the Police Command in the state enjoined the senator to shelve the planned gathering in the interest of peace.
The Command via a statement endorsed by SP William Ovye Aya, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), advised the organisers of the event to cancel it so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the state.
Below is the Command’s statement
POLICE CALL FOR CANCELLATION OF OKENE RALLY BASED ON INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of the planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of the law on anyone who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.
SP WILLIAM OVYE AYA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
KOGI STATE POLICE COMMAND
1ST APRIL, 2025.
Eighteen-Eleven Media