By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Government of Kogi State has assured that it is collaborating with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to locate and secure the safe return of the abducted Chairman of Yagba West Local Governments Area of the state, Mr Pius Kolawole.
Kolawole and a Commissioner in the Kogi Pension Commission, Solomon Adebayo, were attacked by unknown gunmen on their way back from Kwara State on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Adebayo was killed in the attack.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications of the state, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in a press statement issued in Lokoja, stated: ”The whereabouts of the Chairman of Yagba West LGA is still unknown but security agencies in both Kwara and Kogi, as well as local security services are working hard to ensure the safe return of the chairman.”
He explained that though government is conscious of keeping away details of the ongoing rescue efforts away from the public in order not to jeopardise the efforts of security agencies, it felt it was necessary to assure the people of the state of their security.
”It is also incumbent on a responsible government like ours to speak to our people and assure them that Kogi will spare nothing to remain the safest in the country.
”We also wish to caution those making statements which are capable of undermining the security of the state to desist from such an unpatriotic wish for anomie.
”It is high time we came together to make our nation safe, secured and governable.
”The Government and the people of Kogi are also determined to make Kogi peaceful and safe. Our government has the backing of the people and the security agencies to keep Kogi safe.”
The State Government commiserated with the family of the late Solomon Adebayo, the people of Yagba West and the entire Kogi Pension Commission over his demise.
”We thank all good spirited agencies and private individuals who have stood with us in this dark time.
”As a government, we will recommit ourselves to collaborating with neighbouring States to ensure security of lives and property,” he added, while describing the late pension board commissioner as a ”hardworking and patriotic gentleman who contributed immensely to the state’s Pension Administration Revolution.”