Following incessant security threats in Kogi State, the Sarkin Fulani (Ardo) of Yagba West, Kogi state, Babuga Mairali, has raised alarm over alleged intimidation and threat on his life by the authorities.
Though it is no longer secret that some herders are involved in kidnappings in several states in the North, he said it would be wrong to single out their leaders and use them as scapegoats.
According to Babuga Marali, even though the former Bauchi Governor, Isa Yuguda, had intervened by linking him with the Kogi Governor who mediated between the two parties, the threat through the use of vigilante and joint task force in the state has continued unabetted.
He said the local authorities allegedly sent vigilante men in the name of Yagba West Security Joint Task Force to arrest and wrongly naming him a kidnap kingpin.
The Ardo said as leader of his community he would not fold his arms and ignore the unlawful /ex-judicial killings of some few miscreants without following the due process of law.
While responding to the allegations, Special Adviser (SA), Security Matters to the Kogi State government, Cmdr. O. Odoro Duru, rtd., said the Ardo, if he feels aggrieved, should report to the Police and he will get justice.
According to him, “no local government chairman would ever intimidate anyone without valid reason. Kogi State is accommodating everyone, anyone with issues on security should come to my office”.
However, Chairman, Yagba West local government, Tosin Olokun, did not pick his phone, and responded to text messages.
