By Faith Olayemi

The Okun Society Forum (OSF) Kogi State has passed a vote of no confidence on the Kogi State Police Command, calling on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to change its boss, with a view to addressing what it described as the alarming state of violent crimes in the state. 

Representative of the Forum, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Ipinyomi (rtd), made the call at a press briefing in Lagos, yesterday , on the state of affairs in Kogi, during and after the November 11, 2023, election that replaced Yahaya Bello with Usman Ododo.

Ipinyomi, who demanded to know what the command boss had done to address the alarming rate of murder cases  in the state, also said the people of Kogi State and Nigerians at large were eager to know the measures taken to investigate and prosecute those responsible, and the steps being taken to prevent further incidents. 

He expressed worry that the state of insecurity in Kogi had left many to wonder about the effectiveness of the command in ensuring the safety and security of the citizens.

Furthermore, the CP, according to him, is expected to explain the root causes of the gross insecurity in the state, which he said has led to a breakdown in law and order. 

He said: “The CP is asked to explain to Nigerians the report of all the murder cases in Kogi State. What are the causes of the gross insecurity in the state? What measures has he put in place to curb insecurity in the State? What kinetic and non-kinetic strategies has he put in place to curb insecurity? What has he done about illegal mining in the State since assumption of duty? Why did he authorize the movement of three to four armored tanks to invade a residence at Ayingba where innocent civilians were murdered? He should answer why two police officers were brutally murdered during the invasion of the residence? Is he aware that taxpayers’ money was used to train and equip the murdered officers?

“I humbly request President Bola Tinubu to direct all arms of Government to critically look into the affairs of Kogi State in terms of security, welfare of the indigenes and non-indigenes inclusive with a view to checking the excesses of the Commissioner of Police whose run-out date is 22nd January 2025.

“I also request the IGP who has a PhD in Peace and Security Studies and excellent track records to beam more light into the activities of the command and authorize the administrative arm of the Nigeria Police Force to call the CP to order and discipline him accordingly for all the unanswered murder cases during his tenure. Lives of my brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers are not secured within and outside Kogi State. The IGP is further requested to post in a competent CP who has mni, fdc crests or any related qualification. This is to reorientate the men on the ground”.

While accusing the Command boss of being used by politicians in the state, the retired General lamented that such alignment had thrown the state into chaos despite its rich mineral resources. 

He insisted that the November 2023 elections in Kogi State were marred by rigging, with results being challenged at the State Tribunal due to irregularities at the unit, ward, and local government levels, particularly in Kogi Central.

Despite the Federal Government’s investment of hundreds of billions of Naira in the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) to improve election integrity and ensure public trust, he expressed regrets that the election was tainted by manipulation, saying, “the BVAS machines, which were intended to automate results and ensure accuracy, were compromised, leading to widespread irregularities.

“At the Tribunal, the SDP challenged the manipulated results, and over 500 BVAS machines from various LGAs were displayed. The INEC staff presented their identity cards and letters of introduction, and upon the Tribunal’s request, they opened the BVAS machines to reveal the actual number of accredited voters in Okene, Okehi, Adavi, Ajaokuta, and Lokoja LGAs. The discrepancies between the BVAS records and the announced results were striking, further highlighting the extent of the electoral malfeasance.

“The people of Kogi State demand justice and transparency in the electoral process, and it is imperative that the truth is revealed and those responsible are held accountable. 

” At the Tribunal, our case was heard by the Judges but unfortunately ruled against SDP. This was based on technicalities. The Judgment was delivered on May 27, 2004, but four days before, there was jubilation in the Ododo’s camp that APC had won at the Tribunal. 

“The question is how did they get the information on the content of the Judgment while the SDP Legal team was not aware of the date until a day before the Judgment was delivered? Evidence abounds on social space.

 “At the appellate court, same jubilation was all over the media space. Same question is how did they get the content and the precise date for the Judgment? This time again, August 16, 2024, was publicized to be the judgment day from the Supreme Court, however, it was denounced by their political actors.

 “The bigger questions are to the Commissioner of Police Kogi state: On whose authority is he acting to place Kogi state on RED ALERT on 16th August in anticipation of his perceived crisis after the Supreme Court Judgment? On whose directive did he request additional manpower for an operation on August 16, 2024? Has the CP become the spokesperson of the Supreme Court?”