Obi decries pervasive insecurity as Ododo cautions monarchs against arbitrary land sale

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has decried the escalating killings, kidnappings and violent crimes in the country.

In a post on his X-handle, he highlighted the continuous atrocious activities of non-state actors that have left countless families in grief and despair.
Obi specifically condemned the tragic ambush of the Supersports TV crew along the Ihiala-Orlu road in Anambra State, which resulted in fatalities and kidnapping of others.

“These media practitioners were on their way to fulfil their official duties when this horrific incident occurred,” he stated, mourning the loss of life. He also referenced a recent attack in Agatu local council of Benue State, where several individuals were reportedly killed and others injured, further illustrating the rampant violence affecting communities across the federation.

Obi urged Nigerians to unite in demanding improved security for all citizens, questioning how much longer the nation would tolerate such tragedies.

SIMILARLY, KOGI State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has warned traditional rulers against arbitrary sale of lands within their domains.

According to the governor, his administration has also resolved to revoke all lands sold without the approval of the state government. The warning was handed at the weekend during the official handover of the newly constructed and furnished Military Forward Operating Base on the outskirts of Egbe, in Yagba West Local Council of the state.

The facility, comprising a 94-bed hostel, two Hilux vans and other fittings, was built by the Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, to assist security agencies in combating banditry and kidnapping in the forests around the Kwara-Kogi border.

One of the problems identified as a direct cause of the spread of kidnapping in the Okun area is the sale of lands to settlers from the core northern states for business purposes, including the establishment of Kara (cow) markets.

The trading centres, according to the stakeholders encouraged an influx of miscreants and their free operation in and around the various communities. Agreements on the buying and selling of the lands are reportedly based on negotiations between traditional rulers and the merchants, without the involvement of the relevant agencies of the state government.

Represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), the governor said the state government had resolved to revoke any lands found to have been sold to settlers without government approval. He appreciated the community and the lawyer for keying into the vision of his security-conscious administration.