Malik Yahya/
The Kogi State Government has accused guards at Dangote Cement Factory, Obajana, of shooting one of the youths who stormed the facility following its closure by the state House of Assembly.
According to a statement from the government the victim was shot by gunmen hired by the company to forcefully stop the implementation of the House of Assembly resolution.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo says the unidentified youth is receiving treatment at a government hospital in Lokoja.
The state government expressed its total support for the decision of the Kogi State House of Assembly to seal the Dangote Cement Company over ownership tussle between the Government and the Dangote Group.
According to Fanwo, today’s operation at Obajana has further opened the eyes of the State Government to the criminal hub that Obajana is fast becoming “with the level of arms and ammunition deployed by hoodlums hired to stop the sealing of the company as directed by the State House of Assembly.”
The statement reads, “The Kogi State Government wishes to express total support for the decision of the Kogi State House of Assembly to seal the Dangote Cement Company over ownership tussle between the State Government and the Dangote Group.
“The successful sealing of the Factory is a welcome development to enable all parties advance providing answers to the various unanswered questions surrounding the ownership of the Company.
“Today’s operation at Obajana has further opened the eyes of the State Government to the criminal hub that Obajana is fast becoming with the level of arms and ammunition deployed by hoodlums hired to stop the sealing of the company as directed by the State House of Assembly.
“We thank the enthusiastic young men and women who came out in their hundreds to support the sealing of the Company as well as our gallant security agents for repelling the criminals that were hired to stop the implementation of a lawful resolution by the law making body of the state.
“It is unfortunate that one of the youth supporting the sealing of the company in solidarity with the House of Assembly resolution was shot by the hired gunmen of the capitalist and he is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in Lokoja.
“It is our responsibility as a government to protect the interest of our people and we will stop at nothing to ensure Kogi’s resources work for Kogi people.”
“The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello has directed security agencies to fish out those who shot the innocent youth at Obajana and bring them to justice.
“We also call on our people in Obajana not to take the laws into their hands. They should remain calm and be law abiding as Government will always protect the interest of the state.”
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