GOVERNMENT WOULD ERADICATE ROBBERY FROM KOGI CENTRAL – Dr. Ohikere

By Donatus Olufade

  

A robbery incindent along Kabba – Okene road, on the 31^st of August 2010 led to the blocking of roads around Kabba Junction in Adavi Local Government of Kogi State by Luxurious Bus drivers.

The drivers complained about the incessant robbery case in Kogi State. They explained that some unsuspecting passengers in their Vehicles were transiting the State from Lagos to Abuja, only to be attacked by robbers between Kabba and Okene.

Leader of the drivers, Mr. Olisa Onyia, while speaking with our correspondent, decried the spate of robbery in Kogi State. He claimed that “I have always wondered if there is government in Kogi State. If I’m traveling from Lagos to any part of the country, I’m always scared when entering Kogi State. If you are not robbed along Kabba – Okene, you’ll be robbed at Ageva. If you are not robbed at the check point in Okene, you’ll be robbed along Ajaokuta road. I don’t know if any road around Ebiraland is safe”.

The Kogi State Commissioner of information Hon Dr. Tom Ohikere who rushed to the venue to calm the protesting drivers, explained that “very early this morning, I received a call from his Excellency, the governor of Kogi State, Alh. Ibrahim Idris. He told me there was a problem in Kabba Junction that was traffic around that zone in central senatorial district. He said that I should go there and see to the resolution of the problem. He’s on lesser Hajj on his Islamic injunction. I moved in here, standing for him and I thank God, I have resolved the problem”.

He added that “robbery problem is the threat to security of vehicles on transit through Kogi State. Don’t forget that Kogi State plays a very important role to this nation. We are a transit point to northern Nigeria, south-east, south-south and south-west. We are some how in the center of Nigeria. So, every body that has to move across Nigeria, form one zone to the other, has to pass through Kogi State. Here lies the challenge. They’re natural challenges”.

The Commissioner also added that “Armed robbers are everywhere in the world, likewise accidents. Security problem is a global problem. But the government can still do better in security. We have seen what has happened here. The government would surely look into the immediate and the remote causes of the problem and will put it to rest. We are going to work in synergy with the police, SSS, the army and others, to make sure we eradicate it. If we cannot eradicate it, we are going to reduce it drastically. That is the promise of government”, he assured.

Dr Ohikere also said “the remote cause of this problem is elite ignorance. “The Elites of this zone are not concerned about the life of the people of this zone. They have left the management of this zone to people that don’t really have the interest of the people at heart, and leadership is about people”.

A Community leader in Adavi L.G. who pleaded anonymity said “no doubts this robbers are our boys. When you share guns to boys during election, in order for you to achieve your selfish ambition, what do you expect them to do with the guns after the elections? They would surely rob with it. These boys have embarrassed us in the eyes of the entire nation”.

He added that “I agree that robbers are everywhere, but that central senatorial district is too much. They rob virtually everyday on our roads.  He prayed to God to save the people from the menace.