Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has urged residents of Kupa Community in Lokoja Local Government Area to embrace peace by supporting traditional and community leaders in sustaining peaceful coexistence while calling on youths in the area to avoid taking the law into their hands or allowing themselves to be used to perpetrate violence.
Governor Ododo made the call when he visited the community to commiserate with the people over the recent communal crisis, which claimed the lives of 12 persons.
The Governor condoled with the bereaved families and urged residents, particularly youths, to resist attempts to be used as agents of destruction, especially during elections.
He assured the community that his administration would continue to strengthen security and respond to developmental needs, particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, agriculture and physical infrastructure.
Governor Ododo, who paid a traditional homage to the Etsu Kupa Maiyaki, HRH Pharmacist Dauda Kabiru Isah III, said his visit was also an opportunity to personally assess the challenges facing the community.
He said the visit has given him a clearer understanding of the condition of roads, schools, water supply facilities and the agricultural environment, as well as the hardworking nature of the people.
The Governor described Kupa people as hardworking and productive, assuring that concerns raised during the visit, particularly on road infrastructure, education and other key areas requiring government intervention, would receive the attention of his administration.
Meanwhile, the Etsu Kupa Maiyaki, HRH Pharmacist Dauda Kabiru Isah III, described the visit by Governor Ododo as significant, saying his presence at a difficult moment had brought calm and renewed confidence to the community.
The monarch called on the people to resolve their differences peacefully, stressing that the different ethnic groups and communities in Kupa land were all his subjects and have lived together peacefully over the years.
He appealed for improved road infrastructure and rural connectivity, noting that Kupa is an agrarian community comprising more than 80 villages whose people depend largely on farming for their livelihoods.
The royal father reiterated his commitment to peace, saying the recent crisis must not be allowed to destroy the longstanding harmony among the people.
He commended the state government for its prompt intervention and efforts to restore peace and strengthen security in Kupa and other parts of the state.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and prominent community leader, Rt. Hon. Umar Yusuf, commended Governor Ododo for his prompt response to the crisis and for directing security agencies to immediately intervene to bring the situation under control.
He said the Governor’s visit demonstrated the concern the of the government for the people and commitment to protecting lives and property.
It will be recalled that the state government had earlier condemned the killing of 12 persons in Kupa Community during a violent clash involving members of the Kupa Community Vigilante Group and a hybrid vigilante group associated with Fulani herders.
