From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Ukomu Igala Organizations has raised alarm over rising insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and herders-farmers clashes in Kogi East, vowing to support efforts aimed at ending criminal activities in the region.
The group declared that criminality would no longer be tolerated, irrespective of ethnic background.
“Whether Fulani or Igala, there shall be no more sacred cows as culprits will henceforth face the full wrath of the law,” the organisation stated.
The position was contained in a communiqué signed by the National Leader of the organisation, James Ataguba, at the end of a town hall meeting on prevailing insecurity, banditry, and herders-farmers clashes in Kogi East.
The meeting, held on Saturday at Monitec Hotel in Anyigba, was convened to address the increasing incidents of kidnapping, killings, and violent attacks allegedly involving armed groups, herders, and farmers across the area.
Stakeholders at the meeting called for the establishment of a well-structured security architecture, including dedicated distress call lines to improve information sharing and emergency response.
The communiqué stressed that patience, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and practical conflict-resolution measures were essential for restoring peace in the region.
Participants also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and family heads to be more proactive in addressing security concerns within their communities.
The organisation attributed the influx of armed Fulani militias into Igala land to the porous riverine boundaries linking parts of Nasarawa State and communities in Bassa and Omala Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
The stakeholders further advocated the inclusion of Fulani settlers in local security arrangements to strengthen collaboration against criminal activities.
According to the communiqué, some criminal elements among both Igala/Bassa youths and armed Fulani youths have contributed to the worsening security situation.
“Criminal youths from Igala/Bassa who do not even own farmland are perpetrators in killing cows, using the same as business. On the other hand, the armed Fulani youths causing mayhem also do not own cows but chose kidnapping and banditry as business,” the communiqué stated.
The organisation called on the Kogi State Government and security agencies to intensify joint patrols and establish rapid response security posts in vulnerable communities.
It also demanded the creation of joint herder-farmer peace committees at local government and ward levels to mediate disputes before they escalate into violence.
The communiqué further urged authorities to carry out impartial investigations and prosecute all individuals responsible for killings and destruction of property in Kogi East.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence, respect for the rule of law, and collective action against criminality, expressing confidence that lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, dialogue, and inclusive governance.
