The Government of Kogi State in Nigeria’s North-Central has washed its hands over the attack on the oil-bearing Aguleri community in neighbouring Anambra State in the country’s South-East.

Breaking the story of the communal war last Thursday (March 28) News Express had quoted Phil Chinwuba Esq., General Secretary Aguleri Foundation of UK, as accusing the Kogi State Government of spearheading the war against Aguleri.

“Kogi State govt has continued to push mobs into Aguleri Otu as they have continue to arrive in lorries with heavy weapons. They have sacked two of our villages as at yesterday. They have also burnt our schools and churches as at yesterday. WE cannot hold Easter service or celebrate Easter feast with our love ones in that part of Aguleri,” Chinwuba had lamented.

He advised the Nigerian Government to “restrain Kogi State govt” or “Aguleri people would have no other alternative than to use any means necessary to defend ourselves. Our endurance has been tested to the limit and there is limit to what we can take from these uncircumcised bandits.”

However, speaking News Express over the weekend, Jacob Edi, Special Assistant to Kogi State Governor, vehemently denied the allegation, claiming that nothing of such had taken place. Edi however restated Kogi’s claim to the oil in Aguleri, the host community of Orient Petroleum promoted by the Anambra State Government and private investors commissioned last August by President Goodluck Jonathan. Kogi had started laying claim to the area hosting the petroleum company after the commissioning.

Edi told News Express: “It’s unheard of that we can recruit or arm people to go and fight Aguleri people. Communal clash is not associated with Kogi State.

“That oil belongs to Kogi State. OPL 915 which has oil in commercial quantity is in Odeke in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State. But in spite of this, the Government of Kogi said that we prefer to use due process to reclaim the oil. The matter is being handled at the highest level and the three state governors – Kogi, Enugu and Anambra – have made presentations on the issue before President Goodluck Jonathan. We want to allow the National Boundaries Commission to do its work.

“There is no community in Kogi State fighting the people of Aguleri. Kogi State is not known for shedding blood; it is the people of Aguleri and Umuleri who are known for fighting and shedding blood. I suspect that what the people of Aguleri want to do is to create an alibi so as to frustrate our efforts to reclaim our oil through due process.”

•Photo: Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.

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