The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ebira

  • Akeredolu hails Ondo people over peaceful conduct of presidential, N/A polls

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has hailed the people of Ondo State for their exemplary conduct during the last presidential and national assembly elections.

    He expressed delight that the people’s conduct during the polls portrayed them as good and responsible ambassadors of the state.

    The governor, in a state-wide broadcast to the people of the state attributed the peaceful atmosphere during and after the polls to the determination of the residents not only to participate in electing their representatives but to always showcase the unique qualities of their decency and resilience for which the state is reputed.

    He said: “I wish to thank you, profusely, for your cooperation in ensuring that the state remains a reference point for reasons of valour, courage and fierce independence in the art of deliberative governance.

    ‘Your attitudes, manifest or implied, leave no room for conjectures. When you speak, it is eloquent, when you choose to act, your message is not mistaken. Our land is indeed a lesson for those who cherish frankness.”

    Akeredolu also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-Presicent Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on their victory in the February 23 presidential election.

    He said the victory represents Buhari’s widespread acceptability across all the country’s geo-political zones.

    The governor expressed the belief that the President would use his re-election to consolidate the achievements of his economic policies.

    Akeredolu, however, reminded the people of the state of the March 9, 2019 House of Assembly election and urged them to display good conduct that would be second to none in the forthcoming poll.

    He said: “This is another very important exercise; local political leaders are going to be chosen to represent our people at the House of Assembly.

    “I appeal to you to see this exercise as a strictly family affair in which brothers and sisters, with shared heritage, and even blood affinity, will be locked in an innocuous electoral combat for the benefit of all.

    ” Our dear state will be the ultimate winner if all of us approach it in the spirit of sportsmanship. All of us will be winners and our people will be the better for it.

    “I enjoin you to participate, actively, without let or hindrance. The government, on its part, will ensure that adequate security is provided for all our citizens to exercise their franchise.

    “Our people are encouraged to feel confident in their attempt to choose their leaders.

    “Citizens of this state, who are of Igbo, Ebira, Hausa, Oyo and Edo extraction, as well as other minority ethnic groups, should feel free to participate in the exercise as members of this large and heterogeneous family. I appeal, passionately, that we cast aside all divisive and primordial sentiments. Ondo State is our primary place of domicile. Our allegiance to her must be unalloyed.

    “The participation of the electorate in the state is limited to the election of members to the House of Assembly. The gubernatorial election is due next year. This administration encourages voters to choose candidates whose campaign promises are in tandem with its vision on infrastructural development.

    “We have been able to achieve this much due to the prudent management of limited resources. We hope to do more with the cooperation of patriotic members of the House of Assembly who await your mandate in a couple of days.”

  • 10 killed, several injured in resurgent Kogi communal attack

    No fewer than ten persons were reportedly killed on Wednesday in renewed hostilities between Ebira and Bassa-Komu ethnic tribes in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    Scores of others were said to have sustained injuries following the return of the displaced Ebira people in the crisis which started in April last year.

    The Kogi State Police Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO) William Aya confirmed the development on Thursday in Lokoja, saying that the situation was under control.

    He said two people lost their lives in the renewed fighting between the two warring ethnic tribes who have been at dagger drawn for months.

    Aya added a team of mobile policemen, conventional policemen and soldiers were on ground to forestall further clashes.

    “Two people were killed; one yesterday, and the second, today. Calm has returned in the affected areas.

    “The CP in-charge of operation, mobile police, conventional police, area commanders and the Army are already there to restore law and order as soon as possible,” he said

    It was gathered following intervention of elders from the area, the Ebira- speaking people, who left their homes as a result of the crisis, were asked to return home by government, to pave way for lasting peace among the two ethnic groups.

    In the spirit of reconciliation, the displaced Ebira who were accompanied by the security operatives and some political appointees, including the Bassa local government administrator, Sam Alumka and others returned to Oguma, the headquarters of Bassa LG on Wednesday, from where they were expected go to their various villages and communities.

    It was alleged remarks by the paramount ruler of Bassa-Komu ethnic group, the Aguma of Bassa, William Keke sparked the latest round of crisis.

    He was reported to have said the returning Ebira people should go back to Lokoja or to where they have been staying.

    A source said the Ohiogba of Mozum, Alhaji Halidu Bukar Ali and other Ebira leaders who were at Aguma of Bassa’s palace to receive the returnees were almost ambushed by hooligans/militia from one of the warring groups.

     But security operatives reportedly brought the situation under control.

    It was gathered that the news of the escape from an ambush by the Ohiogba of Mozum and the Ebira leaders from Aguma palace and the said “unguarded statement,” spread to various communities, resulting in the latest escalation of hostilities.

    Over ten people were said to have lost their lives in some of the affected communities in the ensuing crisis.

    It was reported two residents of Mozum, Kagiwa Hussain and Aminu Usman returning from Oguma, were allegedly killed by hooligans in military uniforms.

    As at the time of filing this report, hostility was said to have relapsed in Ibiroko, Oguma, Sheria, Auta and Ojugbe communities.

  • Ekiti orders arrest of Herdsmen carrying weapons

    …Vows not to tolerate destruction of farm lands

    The Ekiti State government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of any herdsman caught with guns and other dangerous weapons, promising to visit the full weight of the law on suspects.

    The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, disclosed this on Thursday at a peace meeting held with representatives of herders and farmers at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti in the wake of alleged attacks on farmers in some communities by suspected herdsmen.

    Read Also:‘We bought N50,000 gun to protect ourselves from herdsmen’

    The meeting was attended by representatives of Fulani, Hausa, Ebira, Urhobo, Yoruba communities, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders and Ekiti Grazing and Enforcement Marshals (EGEM).

    Egbeyemi warned that it was unacceptable to the state government for herdsmen to be carrying AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons stressing that security agencies have been mobilized to arrest anyone
    of them caught with weapons.

    The deputy governor particularly warned the Sarkin Fulani in Ekiti State, Muhammad Abashe, that he would be held responsible should there be any further attacks on farmers on their farm lands.

    Egbeyemi said the state government would not tolerate a repeat of attack on Orin Farm Settlement in Ido/Osi Local Government Area last year in which a pregnant Tiv farmer was killed.

    He said: “We have given a marching order to security agencies to arrest herdsmen carrying weapons. As from now, the full wrath of the law will be visited on any herdsman caught with dangerous weapons.

    “Herdsmen going about with AK-47 rifles, what are they doing with such? Will they use AK-47 rifles on animals or human being? Tell your people that will not be tolerated in Ekiti land.

    “We are all Nigerians but somebody cannot come from his place of origin and destroy other people’s property and farm lands. We won’t tolerate that in Ekiti, go and tell your people back home.

    “We don’t want war in Ekiti State; we want peace in our land. I have listened to all parties but the most important thing for our government is peace so that everybody can prosper his legitimate business.”

    According to him, government was duty bound to protect law-abiding residents including settlers in the state who are engaged in legitimate businesses and would not allow killing of innocent people.

    He stressed that herdsmen are not allowed to graze their cattle on farm lands noting that such had led to massive loss of gains and affecting yield of farmers.

    Egbeyemi emphasized that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Ekiti State would not cede any of its land to violent herdsmen as being insinuated by the opposition.

    The deputy governor, however, advised farmers not to take the law into their hands by killing cows of herdsmen urging them to report any attack or destruction of their farms to the appropriate authorities.

    Egbeyemi also warned herdsmen to steer clear of government reserves which he said are not meant for grazing noting that security would be beefed up there to arrest encroachers.

    The deputy governor further revealed that EGEM officers would be empowered with more vehicles, communication facilities and other logistics to boost their morale and prevent clashes between farmers
    and herders.

    Community leaders who spoke included Head of Ebira Community, Sadiku Ojo; Leader of Fulani-Ilorin Community in Ikere, Alhaji Sulaiman Ibrahim,  President of Urhobo Community, Mr. John Enaibe and a local farmer, Mr. Abiodun Kayode.

    Others were Princess Adenike Flourish, Secretary of Anti-Grazing Monitoring Committee; an EGEM officer, Mr. Aladelokun Ayodeji; a representative of Olojudo’s Palace in Ido-Ekiti, Mr. Adewumi Daramola and Mr. Gabriel Monday, a representative of Forest Guards.

  • Audu pledges power rotation for Okun, Ebira in 2019

    Audu pledges power rotation for Okun, Ebira in 2019

    Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the November 21 election, Prince Abubakar Audu, has pledged to support the Ebira and Okun ethnic nationalities for a power shift in 2019.

    Audu restated his commitment to Kogi Tripatrite Agreement signed in 1991.

    The agreement was a power rotation mechanism among the Igala, Ebira and Okun.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Media Office, the APC candidate noted that this would ensure peace and mutual understanding for power rotation.

    The former governor recalled that it was the challenges of political domination and neglect of the Igala in Benue State, the Okun and the Ebira in Kwara State that led to agitation for the creation of Kogi State for the three groups, which had lived together peacefully under Kabba Province for over 70 years.

    He said: “I have told Kogi residents that when we mutually met at Engineer Sule’s house in Okene, in 1991, the three groups – the Igala, Ebira and Okun – met and said they believed in power rotation.

    “When God, in His infinite mercy, spoke to the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, to create Kogi State, we have a destiny in our hands. It was only fair to allow the Igala to have the first shot. For that, the reason adduced by the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi was that the component that came from Benue State, that is, the Igala, had never had the opportunity to produce the governor. But the second component from Kwara State, comprising the Ebira and the Okun, had had the opportunity in the late Adamu Attah, who was a Second Republic Governor of Kwara State.

    “On that premise, it was agreed that we give it to Igala. Further, after the Igala, it was agreed that the governorship seat should return to the other components – the Okun and the Ebira – who should meet to determine the next person to have the seat after the Igala.

    “I am the first beneficiary of the agreement. Thank God, I am still hale and hearty because most of those who reached the deal in good faith on behalf of our people are late. When we returned to democracy in 1999, I was uncompromising and firm in my intention to implement the 1991 agreement. But I was blatantly rigged out. That, of course, stultified development of the state in all facets.”

  • Residents tackle violence in Ebira

    Residents tackle violence in Ebira

    Residents of Ebira, Kogi State have taken steps to scale back violent crimes in their land.

    Ebira land comprises Okene, Okehi, Adavi, Ajaokuta and Ogori Magongo which  form Kogi Central.

    Several people have been attacked, some killed in a manner that mystified the residents. Appalled by the development, the people pledged to mitigate the ugly trend.

    Several hideous crimes, including mysterious killings many of which are yet to be unravelled, continued to be experienced in parts of Okene, while the rate of kidnappings has been on the increase.

    Recently, the Director of Local Government (DLG) of Adavi Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullazeez Ohere and the octogenarian American missionary, Rev. Phyllis Sortor, were abducted by unknown gunmen, who stormed the Hope Alive Nursery/Primary School which she runs in Emiworo, Ajaokuta Local Local Government Area.

    An old Islamic scholar was alleged to have been killed in Adavi. Those who gathered to sympathise or mourn the cleric were also killed by unidentified gunmen who disappeared and are yet to be apprehended.

    There was also the story of an old man who was returning from the 5.30am prayers who was also killed on his way to his home.

    Incidents such as these and others unreported led to the stakeholders’ meeting on security which was conveyed by the Ebira Peoples Association (EPA). At the meeting, far-reaching decisions were taken in a bid to reduce the rate of crimes.

    •Rev. Sorton
    •Rev. Sorton

    The meeting held at Hill Top Hotel, Lokoja and was attended by many interest groups, including elders, politicians, government officials, traditional and community leaders and representatives of women organisations. Some of the vices which dominated discussions were kidnappings, organised crime, assassinations, thuggery and religious fundamentalism.

    In their separate speeches, the President of Ebira Peoples Association (EPA), Dr Musa Abdulrahaman Adeiza and the National Secretary, Arudi Yahaya Isah, observed that leadership failure at all levels of the society is the cause of breakdown of law and order in Ebira land.

    The stakeholders stressed the need for the revival of existing vigilance groups or establishment of new ones to assist law enforcement agents for community policing.

    It advised that from then on, apprehended criminals should not be bailed, saying that such criminals should be transferred to police authorities with 24 hours for prosecution.

    It also noted that most crimes are committed by most motorcycle operators, even as they stressed that there was the need to enforce time limit for motorcycle operators from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in order to check the activities of criminals.

    Investigations revealed that not only has movements by motorcycle operators been restricted in Adavi and Okene, human movements are also resticted during the period.

    They stakeholders urged that law enforcement agents, particularly, the police on official duties should wear their official uniform to distinguish them from impersonators.

    Politicians, they said, should be prevailed upon to stop encouraging the use of thugs for political activities and that the Supreme Council of Elders (SCE) and turbaned traditional title holders should rise up to the occasion by addressing press conferences and seek audience with state and local governments and law enforcement agencies in order to minimise crime rate in Ebira land.

    They also called for an investigation on the activities of masquerades in Ebira land in line with the tradition of the Ebira people, even as they would want regular oversight of hotels and hotel owners as a means of checking activities of criminals who use such places as hide outs. They also expressed their worry over the proliferation of drugs in the society and influx of mentally challenged persons among other measures to checkmate criminal activities in Ebira land.

    The forum also expressed dismay over the alleged criminal activities of Fulani herdsmen, saying it has sent people out of their farmlands in Ebira land. They called for strategies to engage them (the headsmen) before possible breakdown of law and order. One of the strategies they suggested was to explore peace and reconciliation on issues that breed unhealthy rivalry among Anebira in general.

    Interestingly, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Ogunjemulusi had warned those who use masquerade as subterfuge to unleash terror on innocent citizens to desist or face the wrath of the law.

    Mr. Ogunjemulusi had called on traditional rulers in the area to keep their masquerades in check to avoid being used by hoodlums, even as he called for synergy between the command and traditional rulers in the Kogi Central to curb the incessant killings and kidnappings that have become nightmare in the district.

    The CP, who made the appeal when he paid a courtesy visit on the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, His Royal Majesty Ado Ibrahim in Okene, said Kogi Central poses a major problem to the police.

    According to him, clannish animosity and unnecessary masquerade display which lead to loss of lives and property had hampered the peaceful co-existence of the people, adding that incidents of kidnapping and killings in recent time have become worrisome.

    He described as unhealthy the situation where politicians stockpile dangerous weapons to harm perceived opponents, saying that the command would not tolerate such acts.

    He said: “We are here to tell the royal father and other traditional rulers in the district that a new policing era has come to Kogi State. I am in the state to uphold police professional excellence and we are not be partisan because we are not politicians.

    “We are appealing to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land to talk to his subjects not to indulge in any form of violence as police would not spare any one found disrupting societal peace. The era of arrest and release without prosecution is over. We cannot allow miscreants to be tarnishing the good image of Ebira people.

    “We want to emphasise more on community policing and we need the people to give us support through useful information.”

    Responding, the monarch said the problems of Ebira people started when the crop of politicians in the land “use every available means to win elections without recourse to peace and unity of the people.”