The community, in an account obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, called on Governor Ahmed Ododo to caution and warn his commissioner to stay clear of the traditional issues of Koton Karfi, while asking the governor to come clean on his involvement in the supply of weapons to the thugs as bragged by the commissioner.
The people of Koton-Karfe community in the Kogi local government area of Kogi State have raised the alarm over the sponsored attack and shooting of 15 members by gunmen allegedly led by the State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Resources, Engineer Abubakar Bashiru Gegu.
The community, in an account obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, called on Governor Ahmed Ododo to caution and warn his commissioner to stay clear of the traditional issues of Koton Karfi, while asking the governor to come clean on his involvement in the supply of weapons to the thugs as bragged by the commissioner.
The community residents spoke in the account titled, "Threat and breach of the peace of Koton Karfi Town by Engr Abubakar Bashiru Gegu, Kogi State Commissioner of Solid Minerals Resources, the chief instigator of the crisis that culminated in gun shots to over 15 persons."
Giving the graphic illustration of how the commissioner came to the palace of the Ohimege Igu of Koton Karfi on 17th of June 2024 during Sallah homage and threatened to ruthlessly deal with members of the eight ruling houses, the account urged the governor to ensure that the government demonstrates neutrality in the crisis that has engulfed community.
The video of the threats according to the report had since gone viral.
In the video Gegu, claimed that he had been instructed to convey to the eight (8) Ruling houses the message of the state government on the occasion of the royal visit and tours to the ancestral graves of the eight (8) ruling houses where the past Ohimeges were buried.
The commissioner was quoted to have stated thus during his remarks at the visit thus: ‘’To the eight ruling houses, if you can't follow the Ohimege, then sit alone. If you can't accept him, leave the town. If you throw one stone, be ready for iron (bullets) to penetrate you (Gunshots in the background).
"If your mini-Palace is open, you are free and earn some respect from us, if it's not, we'll force it open for you and enter. We'll accompany Agabaidu, ie the Ohimege to all the Eight ruling houses. Agabaidu's, i.e. the Ohimege’s leg leads, and all others will follow.
"We don't want the presence of the Commissioner of Police or the Director of DSS in our midst. We're practising our culture and if you don't want to witness it, then leave town entirely, this is the message to the youths and if you think you're fit or bold enough, then confront us and face the consequences. Allah will take us all back to our various destination.’’
To back up his statement and threat, the community stated that "gunshots were heard between 11:30pm and 12:00am on that Monday night. The sound of the gun shots kept people awake and outside of their houses into the mid night anticipating any eventualities.
"Between 01:00 am and 01:30 am on Tuesday, his chief thug who doubles as the SA on Security to the Local Government led a team of thugs including one Taiwo (a blacksmith) to the family residence of the former chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Isah Abdulkarim (Ecomog) being one of the imagined enemies that disagreed with the emergence of the so called Ohimege and shot his junior brother, ( Faruq Abdulkarim) at close range with the intention of killing him.
"He was rushed to the hospital where he was treated and referred to Lokoja for the evacuation of the remaining bullets. The picture of the injury is hereby attached.
"On 18th, Tuesday during a peaceful protest over the unguided utterances and threats of the commissioner, the town witnessed massive and sporadic gunshots believed to be from hired assassins and thugs previously camped before the sallah celebration in the compound of Hon Saidu Akawu Salihu (the so called Ohimege).
"It later turned out to be thugs led by the commissioner himself who rained bullets on innocent citizens. About 15 people were shot and sustained various degrees of bullet injuries. They received treatment in a local clinic (Zenith Hospital) where the bullets were evacuated.
"All this stem from the threat already pronounced by the commissioner, Abubakar Bashir Gegu to the effect that blood will flow on Tuesday in the presence of so called Ohimege and other community heads who came to Koton-karfi to pay sallah homage.
"He publicly told the people he doesn't require security permission to carry out his orchestrated plans and that he has youths by his sides to execute the assignment."
The account added, "While this was going on, the Nigeria Army team from Lokoja gave him cover to perpetuate his criminal act against the people. They watched him as he shot the innocent unarmed indigenes of the town."
They listed the names of the victims; "Abdulkarim Faruk, Musa Saidu, Yusuf Hussaini, Haruna O.Yusuf, M S jibrin, Ahmad Haruna, Mohammed Adamu, Musa Mohammad Aminu Halima, Ishaq Abdullahi, Yahaya Abdulkarim, Mohammad Sani, Mohammad D Jibrin, Mohammad Salihu Odariko and Abdulrahman Lawal."
As this was not enough on Wednesday, the 19th of June, the thugs came back to intimidate and terrorise the youths and people of the town again.
"This time around the community said luck ran out on them as they were apprehended with AK- 47 rifles and a couple of pump action guns by a team led by, Lt. I. Abubakar, the army Commander in charge of the area.
The community said further, "The Commander threatened to take them to the barrack, but we understand, he was pressured by the government to release them since the commissioner claimed he is carrying out the instruction of the state Governor."
"For the sake of peace, we are asking the Governor to take the following actions: The Governor must call the commissioner, Abubakar Bashir Gegu to order to ensure that the government demonstrates neutrality in this crisis that has engulfed our once peaceful community
"The Governor must come out clear on its involvement in the supply of weapons to the thugs as bragged by the commissioner
"The Governor should caution and warn the commissioner, Abubakar Bashiru Gegu to stay clear of the traditional issues of Koton Karfi because he does not belong here.
"The Governor must act on the so called Ohimege for flouting the instruction of the governor banning all traditional activities and procession in the LGA for now; in spite of this, a turbaning ceremony by the so called Ohimege took place on Friday, 21st of June at the palace.
"The security agencies must investigate and prosecute those who supplied the guns to the commissioner.
"The Governor should warn the so called Ohimege to stop harassing the people with his hired hooded assassins," the community demanded.