Crime
Two killed in Kogi Bye-election as violence, intimidation and vote buying reigned

Two killed in Kogi Bye-election as violence, intimidation and vote buying reigned
Two persons identified as a political thugs lost their lives at two polling units as they attempted to snatch ballot boxes during the lokoja/Kogi bye election.
At the NEPA Polling Unit in Lokoja one of the ulucky thugs was beaten to death after attempting to disrupt the process by snatching the ballot box at the unit during the Lokoja-Kogi bye-election.
An eye witness account indicated that the deceased had successfully snatched the ballot box but youths at the unit who were opposed to the disruption of the process intercepted the hoodlum after which they retrieved the ballot box.
It was further gathered that the mob descended on the deceased and in the process the gun in his pocket triggered off killing him on the spot.
Confirming the death of the hoodlum the police public relations office William Aya said it was true that a person attempting to snatch baklot box was beaten to death.
Howrver he said he was not aware he was carrying a short gun in his pocket. He confirmed that the deceased bosy was retrieved and has been deposited in at the Federal Mediacal Center murtuary.
The police spokes person said they were on the trail of the killers
Another political thug Yahaya Musa Umoru who also attempted to snatch a ballot box was beaten to death at the polling Unit near Maigarin Lokoja palace.
Meanwhile ballot boxes were snatched in 21 polling units in Lokoja Local Government
Also a former senator in the Kogi West senatorial district was allegedy booed when he appeared in one of the polling Unit where he was not registered but deployed to do some persons bidding.
The Lokoja/ Kogi Federal Constituency bye election which was acasioned by the death of former deputy majority leader, Buba Jibril in the House of Representatives in Kogi was overtaken by violence, vote buying and outright intimidation for which the APC led government in the state has been accused by the opposition parties.
There have been acusation and counter acusation on who is really the mastermind of the violence as the Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello had also accussed two former Governors of importing thugs from Bayeslsa and Nassarawa States.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election Abubakar Bashiru at his polling Unit Ward 001 Gegu South said though the election was going on smoothly at his unit but reports reaching him has given him cause for apprehension.
He said in Lokoja at ward B paparanda polling Unit Government officials led thugs to disrupt the election carting away the ballot box and destroying almost everything in sight.
In Paparanda and Karaworo voting units in lokoja metropolis l, there were reports of heavy intimidation and harassment of voters by government agents and political appointees. A PDP stalwart, Mohammed Balga was said to have been beaten black and blue.
In ward B, some people who dressed in police uniform with red beret were said to have besieged two polling units shooting sporadically and carting away the voting materials.
There were also reported sharp practices at the Osuku primary school voting unit in Kotokarfi Local government area as there were reported sporadic gunshots to scare away opposition party from coming out to vote.
As at 11.30 am when reporters visited the place, there was no single person that was allowed to vote as those who came out were only allowed to do accreditation while the voting would be done in favour of the APC.
The INEC presiding official, Joseph Julius told reporters that they were arm twisted to follow the bidding of the APC and they had to play along to save their lives.
The local government administrator ,Mohammed Tanko is from the ward.
Meanwhile, a one time Secretary to Government of Kogi state, Alh Musa Ahmadu decried the involvement of government officials and security agents in carrying and displaying arms in the ongoing Lokoja Kogi federal constituency bye election.
The former scribe while speaking to journalists, accused government functionaries of openly carrying arms against the tenets of the electoral law.
Alh Musa called on President Mohammadu Buhari to call the security agencies to order, else their action and that of the Governor may make the integrity of the Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency a nullity.
At the Lokoja ward D where one of the constestants, and immediate speaker of the house, Umar Imam voted, he alleged that the Government marred the election with the use of thugs and security personnel beating and arresting the opposition.
Umar alleged that his younger brother, was taken to government house with his agents where they were beaten and tortured.
Responding to reporters’ question, the Zonal commissioner of INEC, Mohammed Haruna said the commission will not hesitate to cancel the result of any area where there are reported violence and malpractices.
In his words, “Anywhere there is disruption if the violence is sufficient enough and there are threats to our officials we will cancel the election.
“We are going round now the REC and Myself to access the situation to know whether to cancel the election or to bring reinforcement to continue with the election.
“INEC does things according to its own rules and now it is accreditation and voting simultaneously so anything that is contrary to that is not acceptable to INEC and I am assuring you that we will comply strictly with our rules so anywhere where there are violations of those rules we would act accordingly.”
On the issue of vote buying, he said, “Vote buying is illegal and anywhere there is vote buying as much as we can, we would prosecute people that we apprehend and anything that violates our procedures for election we would act accordingly which is essentially to cancel the election.”
Crime
Abdulmalik presents 23 refurbished operational vehicles to security agencies in Kogi

Abdulmalik presents 23 refurbished operational vehicles to security agencies in Kogi
By Ojochide Audu
In an effort to combat crime in the state, Chairman, Kogi State Security Trust Fund, Hon. Teina Abdulmalik, presents 23 refurbished operational vehicles, to Security Agencies in the State to enhance their operational efficiency in the fight against crime and criminality in Kogi State..
Making the presentation to the benefiting Agencies in Government House, Lokoja the Chairman, who was represented by the Public Relations Officer, Mallam, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, aknowledged the immense efforts and contributions of the Security Agencies to stem criminality in the State.
According to the Chairman, ” Kogi State has witnessed its fair share of criminal activities ranging from kidnapping, Cultism and communal crisis, but, our security agencies have been working round the clock to nip them in the bud.
” And with these vehicles, I know that they will do more in that regards. I urge them not to relent in their efforts in ridding the State of all forms of crime”
Abdulmalik, promised that, more operational vehicles would be procured for the security agencies and and appealing to them to ensure regular maintenance of the utility vehicles.
He thanked Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, for providing all the enablement to ensure the State Security Trust Fund achieve its mandates.
Speaking on behalf of the Security Agencies, the Comptroller of Correctional services, Kogi State Command Alhaji Ahmed Musa, lauded the proactive efforts of the Trust Fund, in curbing criminality in the State.
He reiterated the fact that they were motivated by the gesture to redouble their efforts in the fight against crime and pledged that, the vehicles would be maintained to help the government achieve the purpose for which they were meant for.
Crime
Kogi State Police Command debunks reports that 18 Kano traders were Kidnapped in Kogi

Kogi State Police Command debunks reports that 18 Kano traders were Kidnapped in Kogi
The Nigerian police Kogi State command has described as fake news reports that eighteen (18) traders from Kano travelling to Aba were kidnapped in Kogi State.
This was coming against the backdrop that the Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) had appealed to the Federal Government and security operatives to rescue its members, kidnapped along Okene-Auchi road in Kogi.
The President of the association, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
He indicated that 27 traders of Kantin Kwari Textiles Market in Kano were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen on their way to Aba town in Abia State.
Abbas explained that the traders left Kano for Aba for their legitimate businesses before they were kindnapped after Okene town in Kogi state.
He said the kidnapped traders, were from Kofar Wambai, Sabongari markets and some from Zamfara who joined those from Kantinkwari for the trip.
In a swift reaction the Kogi State Police Command indicated that no such incident occurred any where in Kogi State.
In a press statement that was signed by the command public relations officer DSP William Ovye Aya said the news of the purported kidnap of the 18 Kano traders in Kogi State is fake and capable of misleading the public on the Security situation in the State.
“It is pertinent to let the public know that, the Kogi State Police Command in collaboration with other Security agencies is determined to guarantee the protection of lives and property in the State.
“The Commissioner of Police Ede Ayuba Ekpeji urges members of the Press as well as social media handlers to always find out the true nature of incident and its location before publishing the story so as not to misinform the general public and create mistrust among the good people of Kogi State and Nigeria in general.”
Crime
Association appeals to FG, security operatives to rescue kidnapped traders in Kogi

Association appeals to FG, security operatives to rescue kidnapped traders in Kogi
By Mustapha Sumaila
The Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has appealed to the Federal Government and security operatives to rescue its members, kidnapped along Okene-Auchi road in Kogi.
The President of the association, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
No fewer than 27 traders of Kantin Kwari Textiles Market in Kano were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen on their way to Aba town in Abia State.
Abbas explained that the traders left Kano for Aba for their legitimate businesses before they were kindnapped after Okene town in Kogi state.
He said the kidnapped traders, were from from Kofar Wambai, Sabongari markets and some from Zamfara who joined those from Kantinkwari for the trip.
“I am appealing to the government and security operatives to do everything possible to rescue our members unharmed.
“Though, the kidnappers have reached out to the families of the abductees demanding for N50 million ransom and they later came down to N27 million before they free all of them” he said (NAN)
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