The Kogi State Government has banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over ‘security reports’.
The government also stopped fishing and other activities, lamenting that fishing activities resulted in the loss of two lives in Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette, all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West.
In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the move was to prevent any form of security breach that might destabilise the state.
He added that intelligence reports indicated that some persons were planning to “stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations” in Kogi Central.
The development comes amid the homecoming ceremony of the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, scheduled for today (Tuesday).
The PUNCH reports that constituents in the senatorial district have initiated her recall process and submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters in Abuja.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall process follows her six-month suspension from the Senate after an altercation with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, overseating arrangements and allegations of sexual harassment.
Following her suspension, she raised the issue at international forums, including the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union, and on local and international news platforms such as BBC and VOA.
Her supporters, therefore, scheduled a grand reception for Tuesday to rally support for her.
In a statement on Monday, the state government, however, said that having witnessed a peaceful Sallah celebration, there were intelligence reports of security threats following planned rallies and public gatherings in the state.
The commissioner noted that the government had directed that any individual entering Kogi with a convoy of security personnel must “obtain prior clearance from state commands of the deploying services.”
Fanwo noted that fishing activities caused a crisis in Kogi West, the communal clash between Ika-Odele and Ika Ochala in Ankpa Local Government Area, specifically in Enjema District, was creating tension in Kogi East, while intelligence pointed out that some elements were planning violent rallies in Kogi Central.
“These flashes of disturbances are raising tension in the state and threatening to breach public peace and security.