Robbery Incidents Along Kogi Central Highways

The Kogi Central CSOs Network and Proudly Anebira Forum have raised an alarm over “ the unending menace of armed robbery ravaging major highways, towns and villages within”Kogi Central Senatorial District.

Mohammed Bougei Attah and Abubakar Imam who signed for KC CSO Network and Proudly Anebira respectively said in a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police,Kogi State Command “Very alarming among these robbery incidents are those happening almost on daily basis along the following routes, villages and settlements:Zariagi – Irepeni – Osara – Okene Highway;Ajaokuta – Adogo – Okene Highway and Okene – Okpella Highway.”
They said further, “As against the reports in the national dailies, our investigations showed that those engaging and terrorizing the victims are mostly from the neighbouring states villages. They have peculiar acts of speaking various Nigerian languages that point to the above fact. They are also reported to have raped several women and girls during their operations.

“Though there is a Police Post located by Osara junction, and occasionally the patrolling Counter-Terrorism Unit as well as Anti-Robbery Police Squad, it is worrisome that these robbers often operate in the day time for hours unchallenged. A particular case was the Sunday September 15 robbery that took place along Zariagi – Irepeni road, where several vehicles and people were robbed by these men of the under-world and made away with money and properties worth millions. These activities have adversely affected the economic activities in these areas, particularly the traders from the zone plying these routes.
It is equally a fact that the bad roads along these routes are a major factor that aides the robbers. It is therefore worrisome that the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has not thought is important and a priority to put these roads in order despite years of neglect”, the CSO activists said

Read the petition below:

KOGI CENTRAL CSOs NETWORK AND PROUDLY ANEBIRA FORUM

September 16, 2014

The Commissioner of Police
Kogi State Police Command
State Headquarters, Lokoja
Kogi State

Dear Sir,

PETITION ON THE MENACE OF PERPETUAL ROBBERY INCIDENTS ALONG MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND SUBURB IN KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

A Call for Urgent Intervention

We write as stakeholders and members of civil Society in Kogi Central Senatorial Zone to draw your attention to the unending menace of armed robbery ravaging major highways, towns and villages within the zone.

Very alarming among these robbery incidents are those happening almost on daily basis along the following routes, villages and settlements:

1. Zariagi – Irepeni – Osara – Okene Highway
2. Ajaokuta – Adogo – Okene Highway
3. Okene – Okpella Highway

As against the reports in the national dailies, our investigations showed that those engaging and terrorizing the victims are mostly from the neighbouring states villages. They have peculiar acts of speaking various Nigerian languages that point to the above fact. They are also reported to have raped several women and girls during their operations.

Though there is a Police Post located by Osara junction, and occasionally the patrolling Counter-Terrorism Unit as well as Anti-Robbery Police Squad, it is worrisome that these robbers often operate in the day time for hours unchallenged. A particular case was the Sunday September 15 robbery that took place along Zariagi – Irepeni road, where several vehicles and people were robbed by these men of the under-world and made away with money and properties worth millions. These activities have adversely affected the economic activities in these areas, particularly the traders from the zone plying these routes.
It is equally a fact that the bad roads along these routes are a major factor that aides the robbers. It is therefore worrisome that the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has not thought is important and a priority to put these roads in order despite years of neglect.

As responsible, peaceful and committed citizens of this country, we feel duty-bound to bring this ugly situation to your notice for urgent intervention to save our lives and properties lost to this mayhem daily. The untold stories of commuters, passengers and villagers along these routes are becoming unbearable, and may result into a dangerous trend if not addressed immediately.

On our part, we shall continue to consult with relevant authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to help bring this ugly development under control.

Thank you sir,

Mohammed Bougei Attah Abubakar Imam
KC CSO Network Proudly Anebira

CC: 1. His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Kogi State
2. The Inspector General of Police
3. The Honourable Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly
4. The Director General, FERMA
5. HRM, The Ohinoyi of Ebira
6. The President, Ebira Peoples Association