Ethnic nationalities in Kogi State took to the streets in Abuja on Tuesday to protest the serial killings allegedly orchestrated by agents of politicians.
PUNCH reported that by 10 a.m., the ethnic nationalities under the aegis of the Coalition of Igala/Bassa Socio-Cultural Associations stormed the Garrison Command of Defence Headquarters in Abuja, chanting anti-government songs.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop illegal arrest and detention of Kogites’, ‘Stop the killing of Igala/Bassa people in Kogi State’, ‘Let peace reign in Kogi State’, ‘Igala, Bassa, Okun and Egbira are all brothers’, ‘Protect our lives, it’s not rocket science, save Kogi youths’ and ‘Enough of the bloodbath.’
In a petition addressed to the Service Chiefs during the protest, the coalition accused the government of orchestrating violence, arson, and ethnic cleansing against the people of Igala/Bassa Kingdom in Kogi East Senatorial District.
The petition was co-signed by representatives of various Igala/Bassa associations alleged that since 2016, there had been a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and violence against political opponents and persons with divergent political views, particularly those from the Eastern Senatorial District of the state.
The leader of the protesters Jacob Okpanachi, cited incidents during the 2019 general elections and the Kogi State governorship elections where the properties of political leaders were destroyed and lives were lost.
They also asked for constitutional measures to protect their people and guarantee their right to political participation.
