By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
KOGI State Government on Monday said that the killing of alleged criminal gangster, Kabir Bala (Okwo) by security operatives was a necessary stitch-in-time to rid the state of criminality rather than be termed extra judicial killing.
Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications disclosed this at a press conference on “The state of security in the state ahead of the 2023 Governorship Election”, on Monday in Lokoja.
Fanwo said the June 22, happening at Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area of the state was a “Necessary stitch-in-time led by security agents to rid our state of criminality.”
The Commissioner held that the operation which was endorsed by the state government had brought down insecurity in the area saying, “For the upteenth time, we reiterate our endorsement of the operation that has brought down insecurity in that area by over 40%.
“The late Kabir Bala popularly known as Okwo was a terror in the East, kidnapping and raping young women and housewives and terrorizing the entire Kogi East.
“Motorists traversing the state were subjected to “Okwo levy” to the embarrassment of the State, among other acts of extreme intimidation and criminality”, he said.
Fanwo, a law student, said that Chapter 4, Section 33 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria among others, provided for the Right to Life but added that the right however, had limitations.
“Kabir Bala opened fire on security operatives with the intent to murder them. According to the report by the security agencies, they engaged his gang at this point and he was neutralised in the process.
“A person who attempts to evade lawful arrest and even attempts to kill security agents can no longer hold on to such rights. His killing couldn’t be termed extra-judicial by any standard”, he explained.
**Fanwo, said it was unfortunate that some persons allowed ethnic bigotry to colour their perspectives, to adjudge the killing of “a serial killer” as extrajudicial.
“We are patiently waiting for the law enforcement agents to unravel the mystery by inviting those making unguarded, reckless statements without minding the opprobrium of being associated with a serial killer.
“Our Government will not submit its authority to criminals. We can’t come this far taming terrorists for the past 90 months only to lose it to the garrulous crime-sponsors defending a criminal.
**”We call on security agencies to call the actors inciting violence for thorough investigation. They must be held to account for their claims.
“As a Government, we will do everything within the curve of law to guarantee a peaceful poll in November. It is our responsibility to give confidence to our people that they are free from attacks while exercising their franchise.
“Intimidation, ethnic and religious profiling and other anti-social and unconstitutional act will be met with stiff resistance. It is our duty to the people to create a conducive atmosphere for all to vote any party of their choice”, he said.
On the recent attack and vandalisation of Social Democratic Party (SDP) campaign office in Lokoja, the Commissioner said the claim by SDP that thugs of a particular political party did it was spurious adding, “Let security agents do their work.”
Fanwo said the SDP Governorship candidate, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka had seven days to apologize or prove the allegations that letters were written by the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ministry to traditional rulers not to receive him. (Ends)
