One person was shot following the Kogi State Government shutdown of Dangote Cement Factory, Obajana, today 5th of October 2022, says Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo.
A statement signed by Fanwo states that the injured, yet-to-be-identified youngster is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in Lokoja.
The state government expressed its total support for the decision of the Kogi State House of Assembly to seal the Dangote Cement Company over the ownership tussle between the Government and the Dangote Group.
Fanwo further stated that today’s operation at Obajana has further opened the eyes of the State Government to the criminal hub that Obajana was fast becoming, “with the level of arms and ammunition deployed by hoodlums hired to stop the sealing of the company as directed by the State House of Assembly.”
The statement reads: “The Kogi State Government wishes to express total support for the decision of the Kogi State House of Assembly to seal the Dangote Cement Company over ownership tussle between the State Government and the Dangote Group. The successful sealing of the Factory is a welcome development to enable all parties to advance providing answers to the various unanswered questions surrounding the ownership of the Company. Today’s operation at Obajana has further opened the eyes of the State Government to the criminal hub that Obajana is fast becoming with the level of arms and ammunition deployed by hoodlums hired to stop the sealing of the company as directed by the State House of Assembly. We thank the enthusiastic young men and women who came out in their hundreds to support the sealing of the Company as well as our gallant security agents for repelling the criminals hired to stop the implementation of a lawful resolution by the law-making body of the state.”
Fanwo said that it was unfortunate that one of the youths supporting the company’s sealing in solidarity with the House of Assembly resolution was shot and is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in Lokoja.
“It is our responsibility as a government to protect the interest of our people and we will stop at nothing to ensure Kogi’s resources work for Kogi people. The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh Yahaya Bello has directed security agencies to fish out those who shot the youth at Obajana and bring them to justice. We also call on our people in Obajana not to take the laws into their hands. They should remain calm and be law-abiding as Government will always protect the state’s interest,” said Fanwo.
