KGSG receives, flags off distribution of relief materials to Tawari attack victims donated by NEMA »

Kogi State Government has acknowledged the receipt and flagged off the distribution of relief materials to victims of January 3, 2020 attack on Tawari Community and environs in Kogi Local Government Area from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Receiving the materials on behalf of Governor Yahaya Bello, the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, especially NEMA for doing its bit to provide succour for the people of the Communities.

Governor Bello expressed his determination to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people of the state, irrespective of who they are, and reiterated his commitment to further securing the territorial integrity of the state.

The Governor further described the attackers as cowards who used the cover of the night to visit grief on a peaceful, agrarian and hospitable people who had hitherto lived in harmony with one another, maintaining that no stone would be left unturned to bring perpetrators of the attack to book.

Chief Onoja expressed grief over the 25 lives lost in the incident where 207 houses were destroyed and prayed God to give the peaceful repose to the deceased for whom he had earlier asked for a minute’s silence.

He then confirmed receipt of the relief materials to include; 500 bags each for of rice and beans; 500 bags of garri; Bags of salt, Vegetable Oil, 1000 pieces each for mats, mattresses and Mosquito Nets; 1000 Bags of Cement; 1000 Bundles of roofing sheets; 140 packets of nails; among other numerous items and thanked the Federal Government for its swift intervention to complement the efforts of the state government and other spirited individuals.

The Deputy Governor appealed to the officials to be just, equitable and peaceful in the distribution of the items and advised beneficiaries not to sell them off in the market as government has deviced mechanisms to apprehend anyone who engages in such act.

He called on members of the community to make the business of securing their lives and property their own by being vigilant and assured them that the government of Yahaya Bello is on top of the security situation in the state.

Chief Onoja was accompanied on the visit by the state APC Vice Chairman, the Kogi East Zonal Chairman of the party, the Chairman of Kogi State Local Government Service Commission, the administrator of Kogi Local Government, among other dignitaries.

Speaking, the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Musa Maihaja who was represented by a Deputy Director in the agency, Mr Godwin Ebiko who also condole the communities, stressing their determination to provide succour for victims of such attacks.

He expressed the commitment of the agency under him to provide relief to the citizens of the country whenever the need arises.