Over 100 people have fled the Kopa community in Lavun local council of Niger State as a result of a communal crisis that continued unabated over the appointment of the village head.

The Guardian gathered that the tussle over the appointment of the village head has recently resulted in intimidation and subsequent attacks by some groups who have deliberately ignored the laid-down rules of the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, due to sentiment.

A four-page letter, signed by Oluwole Oluranti ESQ and titled “Complaint Against Threat to Life, Causing Grievous Hurt, Possession of Dangerous Weapons” dated 27 April 2024 and received in the office of the Niger State Commissioner of Police dated 29th April 2024, indicates that the perpetrators disregarded the Etsu Nupe’s directive.

According to the letter on page two, paragraph three, the ascension to the throne of Village Head of Kopa community was recently affirmed with an agreement of all the ruling houses.

It further indicates that after the death of the last village head, Muhammed Kuso Gana, in March 2024, it was to be the turn of Zhitsu Gbogbo ruling house to ascend the throne, but due to shoddy deals of some personalities, Alhaji Mohammed Yisa of Zhitsu Yisa compound was unilaterally installed.

It was as a result of this injustice that all the ruling houses approached the Etsu Nupe at the Wadata Palace, Bida on Apri 24. After listening to all affected parties, the Emir directed that Alhaji Mohammed Yisa be removed and replaced by the rightful person from Zhitsu Gbogbo ruling house.

On that faithful day, the Etsu Nupe also directed that the rotational ascension established by the palace be strictly adhered to as part of resolutions to avoid future clashes.

Oluwole Oluranti ESQ in the letter also expressed worry over the incessant attacks on his clients as both the police command, Bida area Command, and Doko Police division seem to be overwhelmed.

“This inaction by the police seems to have given the attackers courage to regroup and attack my clients on 25th, 26th, and 27th of April 2024, without legal action on over 20 principal perpetrators of the heinous crimes,” the Barrister re-emphasized.

Oluwole, however, seeks prompt intervention of the security agencies to bring the ugly situation under control to enable his clients to go back to their community for lasting peace to prevail.

When contacted, the PPRO of the state police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the receipt of the complaint letter, saying the letter had been referred to the SCID Minna for proper investigation.

He said the SCID operatives had been mobilised to the scene on 4th May, while the alleged suspects were nowhere to be found; “they were on the run,” Wasiu stated.

However, he said the police are working with the community to apprehend the perpetrators, assuring that the perpetrators will be brought to book.

Also, in an interview, the Commissioner for Homeland and Security, Retired Major General Abdullahi Bello Mohammed, confirmed the crisis in Kopa community, assuring that in the shortest possible time, everything will be normalised.

“The government is not resting to put the situation under control; all security agencies have been put on their toes to avert any possible outbreak of law and order as punitive measures have been put in place to punish anyone found wanting,” Bello reiterated.