My attention was drawn to a writeup by Hon Ahmed Obaditan, a former Councilor for Ayere/Arima Ward and currently the Chairman of Ijumu LGA Revenue Committee, on the security situation in Ijumu and the expected roles of all stakeholders, our Political Office holders in particular.
I wish to state unequivocally that none of Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi, Hon Kilani Olumo and Hon Victor Omofaiye can be said not to have shown concern on efforts to ensure that the safety of our people is guaranteed.
Hon Obaditan Ahmed seems to be deficient of information on the efforts of some of the stakeholders, and never bordered to cross check with Alh Taufiq Isah. I believe the deliberate intention to insight Ijumu people against some leaders must have accounted for this unguided statement.
Also, Hon Obaditan seems to lack the knowledge of who’s primary responsibility it is to ensure the security of the lives and property of Ijumu people and all transversing across Ijumu transport routes.
One, the movement of Zango Cattle Market to Iyara was a unilateral decision of Alh Taufiq Isah, then as the Caretaker Chairman of Ijumu LGA when the Stakeholders of Kabba-Bunu decided to quit the Cattle Market from their own LGA due to negative security implications the Zango Market was beginning to have on the security of their people. Today, virtually all kidnap incidents in Ijumu can be traceable to Zango Cattle Market.
Two, sometimes earlier this year, about three or four trailer trucks were said to have brought Fulanis from unknown sources to Ayere Community. Alh Taufiq Isah discussed with Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi on the need to evacuate them out of Ijumu for security reasons, and that the Local Government was financially deficient. The Senator agreed with the Chairman and on resolve of the financial implications of the evacuation exercise, he sent the sum of Six Hundred Thousand Naira (#600,000) to the Chairman for the assignment. Surprisingly, after acknowledging the receipt of the money, the Chairman said it was no longer necessary to evacuate the Fulani invaders, the Senator concurred with him as the Chief Security Officer for Ijumu LGA in his capacity as Chairman of Ijumu LGA, yet, the money collected for that assignment was never refunded.
Thirdly, the Nigerian Constitution has saddled the Chairman of each of the 774 LGAs in Nigeria with the Security responsibility of their respective LGA. Adequate and appropriate monthly financially provisions is made available for each Chairman, Ijumu inclusive, to ensure that the people can go about their legal duties without the fear of attacks and molestation. As regards Ijumu LGA, not less than Seven Million Naira (#7,000,000) is released to Alh Taufiq Isah in his capacity as the Chairman of Ijumu LGA monthly, to ensure that security is guaranteed in Ijumu. In our opinion, if 50% of this sum is judiciously applied to the purpose for which it is released, the security challenges Ijumu is presently experiencing wouldn’t have been so. More so, the initiative of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, to establish Kogi State Vigilante Service remains significant, in LGAs where the Chairmen has given them due and adequate attention and support, their performances have been quite outstanding. Can the same story be said about Ijumu LGA? NO.
Forth, that Hon Obaditan could issue such a statement yesterday 30th November, 2021, and still accused Hon Victor Omofaiye, who as a victim of the security negligence in Ijumu, is lying critically ill, fighting to recover from the fatal gunshot injury he sustained last Sunday when he ran into a kidnap ambush in Okejumu, shows to a very great extent the level of unjustifiable hatred, animosity and resentment some people harbor for some of our leaders. This attitude is quite inhuman, ungodly, uncivilized, unethical, and “un-Ijumu” if I could be permitted to use such adjective.
It is my wish that the available energy and resources be channelled into security for all rather than fighting imaginary political enemies, some of who are not even aware of your gimmicks and intentions.
Fifth, aside from Hon Kilani Olumo, both Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi and Hon Victor Omofaiye have represented Kogi West and Ijumu respectively, long before Alh Taufiq Isah became Ijumu LGA Chairman, the recent upsurge in insecurity was never reflected during those periods, yet, Ijumu had Executive Chairmen then, so why now?
With this display of animosity, one is tempted to believe that the kidnap attempt on Hon Victor Omofaiye was not only premeditated, but also a consequent of political fallouts.
Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi remain committed to the security of the lives and properties of not just Ijumu, but Kogi West people, those assigned and financially empowered to watch over Ijumu people should sit up, and stop window dressing.
Chief Olowo Cornelius,
Legislative Aide to Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi.