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KOGI: Shock as gunmen kill union leader, guest; organised labour suspends talks with govt

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HALF SALARY: Labour unions fume, give Kogi govt one week ultimatum to pay up

Tragedy struck within the organised labour community in Kogi State Thursday when the State Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Science and Technology Education Board, Abdulmumini Yakub was murdered.

Yakub was allegedly murdered at Ozuwaya, in Okene Local Area of Kogi State alongside one Ibrahim Otaru who reportedly came to discuss some community issues with him.

It was reported that the two men were murdered by heavily armed men when they were performing ablution for prayer.

Efforts to resolve the crisis rocking the Kogi State civil service recorded a major setback as a result of the development, as the organised labour suspended negotiations between it and the state government.

Meanwhile, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has condemned the murders.

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In a statement issued in Lokoja on Thursday by his Special Adviser on security, Retired Navy Cdr. Jerry Omodara, Governor Bello described the murder of Yakubu alongside one Ibrahim Otaru as unfortunate, calling on security agencies to apprehend the killers.

“It is lamentable that in spite of what we are doing to make Kogi State safe and secure, some bad eggs still take pride in the unenviable record of being one of the most violent in the country. This latest gruesome murder of Mr. Yakubu has again confirmed the reign of politics of intolerance, banditry and assassinations which our government has sworn to wipe out,” the statement said.

The governor said his government was determined to combat impunity so as to prevent further crimes, and also uphold the rule of law and protect public trust in the justice system.

He described the late Abdulmumini Yakubu as an exceptionally brilliant, humble, forthright and focused personality who spent almost his entire life for the good of humanity.

“He was a dogged union leader who contributed immensely to the welfare of his members in the promotion of robust labour relations between his union and the state government as well as a trusted community leader who gave total support to governments war against bandits and hoodlums in Kogi central and the state at large.”

Bello described his death as a huge loss not only to his family and the organised Labour, but to the state government, noting that his advice at various times on labour related issues as well as security in the Central Senatorial district were invaluable.

While reiterating his commitment to work with security agencies to unmask those behind the murder and bring them to justice, he prayed that God would comfort the families of the deceased and the organised labour.

 

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