Melaye calls for state of emergency in Kogi (Updated)

Barely four hours after he reportedly escaped an assassination attempt, Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Kogi State

Melaye who made the call on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, when he raised a point of order to draw the attention of his colleagues to an incident which happened in Kogi on Monday, said this is the second time in four months that an attempt will be made on his life.

‎Quoting from a section of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Melaye said: Mr President, I seek your indulgence to read section 307 of the constitution as amended and specifically l want to read.

“The president shall have the power to issue proclamation of state of emergency in Kogi state. There is actual breakdown of law and order and public safety in every part of Kogi State.

“As I speak to you, Kogi State is no longer passable since Governor Yahaya Bello took over the affairs of the ‎state. Kidnappings are going on daily basis. Insecurity is on the increase. Under his administration, there has been four jail breaks in Kotakafi prison. We cannot continue like that.

Read also: ALLEGED PADDING: Jibrin’s wishes fulfilled as EFCC probes Dogara

“There is already a state of anarchy and we are in trouble because of the insecurity in the state which is orchestrated by the militarisation of hoodlums in the state by the governor.

“‎There is need to audit all arms and ammunition in the state Police command and Inspector-General of Police must investigate all arms and ammunition in Kogi State Government House.”

Similarly, the Senate has condemned the mayhem which happened in Kogi State. Speaking on the issue, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the day’s legislative business, called on the security agencies to nip the problem and bring the perpetrators to justice.

‎He said: “Seriously speaking, on behalf of this Senate, I must condemn what happened in Kogi State. Section 14 (2) of the constitution is very clear on the primary purpose of government which is the security and welfare of the people and government must not be seen adjudicating on that responsibility.

“So, I want to appeal to both state and federal government to ensure that the citizens are protected and also their property.

“We cannot have a situation where this government will sit by and watch people taking laws into their hands and behaving as if there is no law and order in this land.

“We need to be serious, we need to be firm. Government needs to ensure that people are not allowed to take laws into their hands and of cause the reckless statement that we are hearing from here and there.

Government needs to do something about it. The unity of this country cannot be compromised and the security of individuals must be assured. This is condemnable and we will never allow this to continue in a democratic society.”

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now