Kogi decides: Police arrest 25 thugs, confiscate guns

KOGI State police command, yesterday arrested some boys suspected to be political thugs being secretly trained to disrupt the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

According to an impeccable source close to the police, the boys numbering about 25 were rounded up by the police at a lo- cation in Ejule in Ofu local government area of the state when they were holding a nocturnal meeting at about 12.45 am on Saturday.

About 16 AK 47 Riffles, four double barrels, three local made pistols, knives, cutlasses and some charms were said to have been recovered from them.

As at the time of filing in this report, it was not clear which party the political thugs belong and who was sponsoring them, but the source said the police have already swung into the in- vestigation of the suspects.

When contacted, the state police commissioner, Emmanuel Ojukwu confirmed that there were some “ bad boys” that were arrested with arms, but he re- fused to give further details, saying the press will be adequately briefed after police investigations.

Meanwhile, he warns miscreants and political thugs to steer clear from the state, saying any- body caught will be made to face the wrath of the law.

He also warns politicians in the state to conduct themselves within the precinct of the law, saying no matter the political party nor how highly placed an individual is, if they sponsor any thuggery, they will be fished out and prosecuted.

Awoniyi lambasts APC for delay in bailout fund

IRKED by the refusal of Central Bank of Nigeria in releasing the bailout fund to Kogi State Government, the Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, yesterday lambasted the opposition party for causing the delay.He said it was a sad thing that someone who desires to govern the state would do things that would be at variance with the interest of workers in the state.

In a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary and made available to Daily Sun, Awoniyi said the bailout funds to states was a unique window to cushion the plights of workers in the state but regretted that the APC has been doing all sorts of things to stop the release of the fund.

While noting that the state government has met the CBN’s condition to submit names of. beneficiaries of the amount re- quested for, the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of all beneficiaries, and amount due to each worker, he lamented a situation where some politicians think the money would be diverted into election.

While noting that many of the state workers voted for the APC at the last presidential election, Awoniyi, described as sad the efforts to delay what is due to the state and the workers, saying politics should not be played in such a way that it will affect the welfare of the people.

He promised that, if re elected, the PDP administration in the state would renew its efforts to better the lots of the citizens.

The on-going governorship campaign, Awoniyi explained was more of a needs assessment, as it has allowed the governor to have a better understanding of the needs of the people.

He described Wada as a man of integrity, who he claims abhors corruption, and whose administration has made huge sacrifice in prudently using the resources accruing to the state most effectively.

Police ready for election –AIG

THE Assistance Inspector- General of Police, Zone ‘8’ Lokoja ,Mr Lawal Tanko has said that the Police are fully ready for the oncoming election in Kogi State.

He warned the youths to shun violence and thuggery during the election.

Mr Tanko told Daily Sun that the Police are ever ready for the election. He said the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase has assured the entire state that the election would be successful because the IGP has deployed more Police Personnel from various state commands.

AIG Tanko stated that the IGP’s vision and mission of community policing has been the major point of having partnership with the public.

AIG Tanko said they had a meeting with all the politicians at Kogi State Police Command chaired by Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu and other security agencies to dialogue for a successfull election.

AIG Tanko said that they had a meeting with the youths in Kogi State and have warned them to stay away from violence and thuggery and also warned that youths arrested during the election would have themselves to be blame. “The youths should go to the polling center and vote for their choice and stay away from the polling center to avoid violence”, he said.

He stated that they have gone round to identify the polling unit and ward collating centers to identify the flash point.

AIG Tanko warned all politicians to shun violence.