A concerned citizen, Charles Olaiya Asala, has written an open letter to the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, over the deteriorating state of insecurity in Okun land.
Okunland is made up of Yagba West, Mopamuro, Ijumu and Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas of the State.
It is pertinent to state that the region has been under the seige of Fulani herdsmen who incessantly abduct innocent citizens, destroy farmlands and crops, a development that has resulted in food shortages and in greased prices of food.
Asala wrote:
“Your Excellency,
“I write to you today as a concerned citizen and a voice for the people of Okunland, the Yoruba-speaking region of Kogi State, to express our growing fear and deep concern over the escalating insecurity that is putting lives and livelihoods at risk across our communities.
“Just recently, the entire Okunland was thrown into shock and sorrow over the abduction of the monarch of Okoloke community in Yagba West Local Government Area. This brazen act is not only a violation of our traditional institution, but also a direct attack on the peace and dignity of our people. When a respected royal father can be taken from his domain without resistance, it sends a disturbing message to citizens—that no one is safe.
“In addition to this sad incident, we continue to experience rampant kidnappings, armed robberies, and general lawlessness across several towns and villages in Okunland. Farmers now fear going to their farms, traders are forced to shut their shops early, and the general population lives in anxiety and despair.
“Your Excellency, we appreciate the efforts your administration has made so far, but the time has come for more decisive, localized action.”
Asala, thereforere, urged Governor Ododo to, as a matter of urgency, “Mobilize and strengthen local security forces in partnership with traditional rulers, vigilante groups, and community leaders; deploy more police and military presence to vulnerable areas in Yagba West, Mopamuro, Ijumu, Kabba-Bunu, and other affected LGAs.
Besides, he urged Ododo to ensure swift and safe recovery of the abducted monarch, and bring the perpetrators to justice, facilitate stakeholder meetings with Okun leaders to strategize sustainable security solutions and invest in youth empowerment and economic opportunities to reduce the appeal of criminality.
“Your Excellency, Okun people are known for peace, hard work, and loyalty. We seek not only your solidarity in words, but your intervention in action. We can no longer afford to watch our communities descend into fear and lawlessness.
“We trust in your leadership and appeal to your conscience as a father and custodian of the entire Kogi people to take swift and resolute steps to restore peace and dignity to Okunland,” he concluded.
