Suspended Ohi of Eganyi, Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has suspended a traditional ruler, the Ohi of Eganyi in Ajaokuta Council Area of Kogi State, Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja, over an alleged involvement security breach.
Earlier, the monarch was arrested and detained by the state police command after three of its men and five vigilantes on patrol duty were ambushed and shot dead by bandits in his domain.
Also, the governor ordered that the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Hon. Mustapha Aka’aba, be queried over the breach and should reply within 24 hours.
The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr. Muhammed Onogwu, in a statement on Sunday, said: “Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has directed the suspension of the Ohi of Eganyi and Chairman, Ajaokuta Traditional Area Council, HRH Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja with immediate effect after the investigation that led to his arrest and detention by the security agency.
“In a letter to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kogi State, the governor also directed that the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Hon Mustapha Aka’aba, be queried over the breach and should reply within 24 hours.
“The governor’s directive against the affected persons is in connection with the recent security breach in the area which led to the untimely deaths of some security personnel on their legitimate engagements of maintaining law and orders.
“The governor strongly warned other traditional rulers across the state who may have connection in one way or the other with criminal elements in their domains to desist forthwith, saying that his administration will deal ruthlessly with anybody who romances with criminal elements no matter how highly placed they are.
“In the same vein, Governor Bello also directed that all unofficial movements of the local government council chairmen out of their territory and other journeys without due process are hereby restricted.
“The governor warned that no amount of connivance with criminals will deter him from his fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens and residents of the state.”
It would be recalled that three police men and five local vigilantes on Saturday were reported to have been killed in an ambush by suspected bandits in the monarch’s domain.
The residents of the area had reported at the divisional police headquarters that some people were using their farms for criminal activities and this prompted the DPO to immediately mobilise his men and some local vigilantes to go after the criminals.
But unknown to the police, the criminals who had laid ambush for them, opened fire on sighting the security personnel.
