The Ukomu Igala Organisation, a socio-cultural and linguistic umbrella body for the Igala Nation has reminded the Kogi State Government on the request for the State Government to reverse the “vexatious” cashew trading policy of the State as well as the “obnoxious” Kogi State Oil Producing Community Law that completely excludes host communities from the administration of their God given natural resources or enjoying the benefits derivable therefrom.
The reminder was part of the communique issued after its emergency EXCO meeting held recently along with some critical stakeholders comprising prominent Igala elders, community leaders and notable politicians to seek for peaceful and legal redress/resolution of the vexatious issues that constitute potent threats to the peace, harmony and health of their people
A COMMUNIQUE OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF UKOMU IGALA ORGANIZATION WITH SOME IGALA ELDERS/LEADERS THAT WAS HELD IN ABUJA ON 12TH AUGUST 2026
Concerned with certain developments in Kogi East recently with regard to the unfair treatment of oil producing communities of Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, the unjust cashew policy of Kogi State Government and the harmful/destructive activities related to coal mining in Ankpa Local Government Area with attendant victimization of members of host communities, the Ukomu Igala Organization (UIO), hereafter referred to as ‘The Organization’, convened an emergency meeting of its EXCO with some critical stakeholders comprising prominent Igala elders, community leaders and notable politicians to seek for peaceful and legal redress/resolution of the vexatious issues that constitute potent threats to the peace, harmony and health of our people.
Accordingly, and desirous of arousing the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Kogi State Government and Ankpa Local Government Council to the growing injustices against our host communities and oppression of Igala people generally by the Kogi State Government and Ankpa Local Government Council in particular pertaining the on-going mining activities in Ankpa Local Government Area, the meeting resolved as follows:
Ukomu Igala Organization demands that Kogi State Government should cause the immediate release of an Igala social critic and activist, Mallam Abdulwahab Tijani, known commonly by the moniker ‘Mr Tony-Tony’ from illegal and unjustified detention unconditionally.
The Organization on behalf of all Igala sons and daughters, while not frowning at legitimate and procedural enforcement of Nigerian laws by legally constituted agents anywhere in Nigeria, nevertheless condemns unequivocally the brutal
assault on the person and violation of the fundamental rights of said Mr Tony-Tony with unlawful detention by the Kogi State Government in collaboration with Ankpa Local Government Council for simply participating in a lawful and peaceful protest organized by his community against the harmful and destructive practices of companies and individuals that are currently engaged in coal mining activities in Ankpa Local Government Area.
The Ukomu Igala Organization calls on the Hon Minister of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to as a matter of urgency and critical national emergency, cause the audit of persons, companies and consortia that were granted coal mining licences to operate in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State; with special focus on the effects of their activities on communities, environment and infrastructure as well as their corporate responsibility initiatives.
The Organization enjoins all host communities in Ankpa and Ibaji Local Government Areas to remain peaceful, law-abiding and only recourse legal and constitutional channels in seeking redress against the injustices and oppression being perpetrated against them, while calling on all Igala sons and daughters to promote unity, love and peaceful co-existence among themselves.
The Organization wishes to remind the Kogi State Government on the request for the State Government to reverse the vexatious cashew trading policy of the State as well as the obnoxious Kogi State Oil Producing Community Law that completely excludes host communities from the administration of their God given natural resources or enjoying the benefits derivable therefrom.
The UIO enjoins all Igala youths, particularly social media activists, bloggers, influencers, content creators etc., to study the Nigerian Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention, etc.) Act (2015) together with its Amendment Act (2024) carefully and thoroughly in order to be guided by the provisions of both and related laws in their public utterances and engagements.
The Organization condemns the unlawful use of Local Vigilantes such as the one commonly referred to as ‘Ákpa-Kpo’ in Igala land by government officials, politicians and wealthy individuals to harass, intimidate, injure and in extreme cases, eliminate rivals or persons with opposing views without regard or recourse to constitutional and legal channels.
The Ukomu Igala Organization wishes to advise all Igala politicians with their supporters to pursue their individual and group political ambitions lawfully and peacefully; devoid of rancour, violence, aggression, insults and provocation in the forthcoming general elections.
The Organization calls on all law enforcement agencies deployed to Kogi State, particularly the Nigerian military, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as other para-military agencies to be responsive to their duties and remain alive to their constitutional mandates in their operations and assignments in the State devoid of favouritism, patronage or intimidation of innocent and law-abiding citizens/residents of Igala land.
The Ukomu Igala Organization decries the lobsided spread of developmental projects of Kogi State Government that are concentrated in a particular Senatorial Zone; as we note the protracted and deliberate neglect of Kogi East in the scheme of State affairs by the current and immediate past administrations of the State.
Endorsed By:
Maj Gen JAMES ALILU ATAGUBA (RTD) fdc Ph.D
Mr JIBRIN OKUTEPA (SAN)
Mr HASSAN PAUL ABARA
MR UNEKWU OCHEJE
Commodore GODWIN OBAJE (RTD) mni
