By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Thursday promised to fished out the killers of Tawari people as casualty rises to 29.
Governor Bello who held a peace meeting at the Government House Lokoja, with the paramount rulers and people of the Tawari communities, called for calm as the government is working hard to restore permanent peace in the area.
According to him, casualty figures have risen to 29 persons as more deaths were discovered from other communities within the district.
Bello who acknowledged the peaceful disposition of the tawari people , said the attack took place when there was no provocation stressing that his administration will leave no stone unturn to unravel those behind the dastard acts against the communities.
He added that his government would not fold his arms and watch bandits and terrorists unleash mayhem on his people insisting that he will adopt a security measures that will be mobile and effective to deal with any security challenges across the country.
He explained that the same methods that worked in Dekina, Bassa and Omala Local Government Areas when they were attacked will be replicated in Tawari to bring lasting solution to insecurity of the area.
He promised to adopt community police to complement the activities of the conventional police whom he said were being overwhelmed with inadequate manpower and lack of knowledge of the local communities.
He urged the traditional rulers, youth groups and opinion moulders in communities across the state to join hands with the government to ensure the success of the new security architecture to rid the state of criminals and people with predatory tendencies.
The Governor however directed the youth leaders and stakeholders of the communities to furnish his office within 24- 48 hours of the level of damage done to individuals for monetary compensation.
Earlier, the youth leader of the Tawari communities which comprises of four villages Mr Gabriel Ndazago said the initial figure of 24 deaths were recorded in towari village while five other bodies were picked up from three other communities making it 29 recorded deaths.
He lamented at the frequent killings and kidnapping of Tawari people even in their homes and on the farms with consequences of payment of humongous ransom and in some cases killing of the victims for failing to meet their demands adding that the 2nd January , 2020 attack was the climax of the gruesome murders of his people.
In a remark , the Aguma of Bassa and paramount ruler of Tawari Alhaji Idris Alhassan Yusuf commended the government for the prompt response to the crisis and pledge the loyalty of his people to the government and its policies.
