Death of Kogi Six: Gov. Bello Appeals for Calm, assures of Probe

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

Richard Elesho/ Lokoja

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has appealed for calm in the wake of the death of six citizens of the state including a mother, her three kids, and a neighbour’s two children, who were reported to have died after eating a cassava flour meal the woman had prepared.

Government said the incident has unfortunately been given an ethnic slant with unsavoury elements claiming the victims who happen to belong to the same tribe with the Governor, were deliberately targeted.

In a press statement, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, condemned such reckless conclusions, and disclosed that the appropriate authorities are already investigating the matter. The statement urged people not to preempt the outcome of the investigations.

“No one knowingly takes poisoned foodstuffs to the open market in a multi-ethnic society, hoping only people from a particular tribe will buy,” the governor said.

“That’s like throwing a stone in a crowded market, and foolishly hoping it will strike your one enemy. It just does not make sense.”

In addition to the ongoing police investigation, Governor Bello said health officials are also investigating the matter because of its implications for public health issues, saying nothing will be left to chance.

The governor vowed to come down hard on people with a negative tribal agenda in the state, warning that their activities go against his plans of fostering good communal relations and making Kogi a home for all.