Olushola Okunlade Writes

No fewer than seven staff of Dangote Cement, Obajana in Kogi State were shot and several others injured as over 500 armed members of the state’s security outfit, the Vigilantes, stormed the cement factory in the early hours of today (Wednesday) at the instance of the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

Meanwhile, members of the mining and host communities have condemned the Kogi State Government for what they described as the extra-judicial and unlawful deployment of the Vigilantes to cause chaos in the Obajana community.

The vigilante’s group was led by the state Director-General of Lands; Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security,  Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd), Chairman of Kabba/Bunnu LGA, Chairman of Ijumu LGA  and the State ALGON Chairman, Alh. Taofeek; Senior Special Assistant on Job Creation, Mr. Dele Iselewa and Chairman of Lokoja LGA, Alh. Mohammed Dansabe.

The vigilante group members were wielding arms of different kinds including local and assorted rifles as residents and passersby scampered for safety.

As of the time of this report, some seven staff of the cement company were being attended to at the hospitals over the gunshot wounds inflicted on them.

A source who identified some of the vigilante men as thugs said most of them were drawn from state vigilantes and hunters who have been working for the state government.

Mr. David Oluruntoba, spokesman for the Oyo Mining host community described the act as primitive and disgraceful, saying the youths of the community can never be used, and will not take part in such ‘evil practices.  

He said: “They called us to join them. But I told them that the company has not offended us. We just signed a Community Development Agreement (CDA) and the company has been helping us and providing us with jobs. What has the government done for us, nothing? There is no basis to support the government.” 

Speaking in the same vein, the spokesman for Iwaa mining community, Rotimi Kekereowo said: “We would never support the government on this matter. What have they done for us? We don’t have a single political appointment at the State level. Even when we have problems with electricity and flooding, it was Dangote that was helping us. So, I want to repeat it. We will never support them.” 

Speaking also, the Olu of Akpata, Fredrick Balogun said he was never contacted and as such cannot justify the unwarranted invasion.   

“We are royal fathers, and we will continue to seek the path of reconciliation and amicable resolution of any misunderstanding. We don’t have issues with the company,” he charged.  

Mathew Ojonuga, a resident said important issue like flooding in the state which has rendered many homeless has not been attended to only to be chasing private companies that have been providing us with means of livelihood.

He said: “the state government should face the issue of flooding and let the people live in peace. If there are issues, let him employ dialogue and resolve it rather than this kind of use of force.”

 At the main gate, a disagreement ensued between the thugs and the few policemen guarding the plant, as they shot sporadically into the air to disperse all staff and Community members. By this time, the vigilantes have succeeded in locking both the entrance and exit gates of the company with many workers stranded.