Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation has flayed Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello over the murder of 35 people in the state by suspected herdsmen on Thursday, cautioning “It is time to stop playing politics with this matter and to speak the bitter truth no matter whose ox is gored.”
Bello had in a statement on Friday issued by Kingsley Fanwo, his spokesman, stated “Fulani herdsmen killings in Kogi state is a family affair; we shall resolve it.” The attack was said to have been carried out on Ogane-Nigu and nearby communities in the Eastern Senatorial Zone.
Fani-Kayode, writing on his Twitter page, queried Governor Bello of Kogi state “Family affair? After they killed 35 of your people? No justice for the slaughtered? There is nothing that I despise more than the mentality of a slave.
…God will judge you and all that innocent blood that the Fulani militants and terrorists have shed will speak against u and yours.”
He tweeted: “Fulani herdsmen killed 35 innocent people in Kogi state today and abducted two WAEC officials in Oyo state.
“I sincerely hope that the Governor of Kogi state, who is a staunch supporter of Buhari, is clapping for himself. Those who ride on a tiger’s back usually end up in its stomach.”
The Kogi State government had in the said statement noted that the government would ensure that the military, the police and other relevant security agencies, including members of the Kogi State Vigilante Services were immediately mobilised to the affected areas following the initial reports.
“The violence has since been contained and brought under control. The incident however remains under investigation while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice,” it noted.
“Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State will conduct on the spot assessment of the distressed communities today (Friday).
“He will meet with Security Chiefs and community leaders after which more information will be forthcoming based on available facts.
“The governor believes nothing compares to the sanctity of the human life and that must be protected by all who believes in humanity.
“We urge the people of Kogi State to ignore the conflicting casualty and other figures thrown about by different individuals, organisations and sections of the press as they are mostly baseless and speculative.”
However, Vanguard had published Thursday that suspected Fulani herdsmen killed 32 people in some communities of Dekina and Omala local government areas of Kogi State.
The assailants arrived by boat on Wednesday, opened fire on the people and burnt down houses. An eyewitness said they wore military fatigue and wielded AK 47 assault rifles. Many of the residents who fled for their lives remain unaccounted for.
A source claimed the attackers, “about 500” burnt down over 20 houses, killed anyone in sight and shot at those who tried to escape into the bushes.
Monday Bala, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, confirmed the incident during a press conference Wednesday, but declined to give casualty figures.
Bala said Aliyu Janga, the state Commissioner of Police has drafted policemen and other security operatives to the area to restore order.
