Ex-Lawmaker TeeJay Yusuf urges IGP, Kogi Govt to tackle Okun-Yoruba insecurity

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. TeeJay Yusuf, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Kogi State Government, and other security agencies to take immediate and proactive measures to curb the rising insecurity in Okun Land, particularly in the Bunu District of Kogi State.

Hon. Yusuf made this appeal in a statement he personally signed on Monday, highlighting the increasing wave of attacks, kidnappings, and intimidation faced by residents across the five local government areas that make up the Okun-Yoruba axis of the state.

“Given the increasing state of insecurity across Okun Land, particularly Bunu District of Kogi State in the past few months, I wish to strongly urge the Kogi state Government, and all security agencies to urgently take more proactive measures towards addressing the precarious situation,” he said.

The former lawmaker lamented that communities in the area have been subjected to recurrent attacks by unidentified groups, leading to widespread fear and economic hardships.

“According to reports, indigenes and residents of communities across the stretch of the five local government areas that make up the Okun-Yoruba axis of the state have been victims of attacks by groups of charlatans whose identities are not known,” he stated.

Hon. Yusuf expressed concern over the brazenness of these criminals, who reportedly kidnap victims even from their homes at night, forcing families to pay huge ransoms. He warned that these incidents have caused psychological distress among the people and disrupted their means of livelihood, particularly farming.

“From reports, these callously wicked, and criminally-infected persons attack, and kidnap innocent people of these communities with brazenness. More intriguing is that some victims are kidnapped directly from the comfort of their homes while sleeping at night.”

He attributed the worsening security situation to the alleged influx of individuals of questionable character into the state during the political landscape shift between 2020 and 2022.

“Many people believe that the unrestrained cases of kidnapping and similar attacks on the communities are not unconnected to the chequered manner in which the Kogi state government allegedly opened its borders to people of questionable characters; in the name of politics between 2020 and 2022.”

The former legislator called on the state government to implement effective security measures and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to restore peace in the region.

“Noting the preponderance of kidnapping and attacks on our people, I humbly call on the state government to immediately emplace result-yielding measures to effectively tackle the disturbing trend. Also, I implore various law enforcement and security agencies, with necessary support from the state government, to collaborate with one another towards ensuring the protection of lives and properties in these communities.”

Hon. Yusuf also extended his sympathies to the families of victims and urged residents to remain calm as the authorities work towards resolving the security crisis.

“Finally, as I sympathise with the families, friends, colleagues, and associates of those that have been victims of these dastardly attacks, I appeal for calm, law, and order as government and relevant agencies do all that is necessary in tackling the menace.”

He emphasized that ensuring the safety of citizens and their properties remains the fundamental duty of the government.

“It is imperative to reiterate that the state government must do everything lawful to safeguard the safety of her citizens, and their properties; which is the primary function of the administration.”

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