Lokoja – No fewer than seven workers of Dangote Cement Company, Obajana, Kogi State were shot while several others were seriously injured on Wednesday when armed youths invaded the company to forcefully shut down its operations .
The youths believed to be sponsored stormed the premises of the Africa’s largest cement plant in the early hours of Wednesday.
The attackers said to be numbering over 500 were said to be fully armed with assorted rifles, matchetes and other dangerous weapons.
The invaders on arrival
at the main gate of the company engaged policemen and other securitymen in hot arguments over the company’s social responsibility to them and complained of neglect.
The argument later degenerated but the youths
overwhelmed the security men and forcefully gained entrance into the premises.
On entering,, they started shooting sporadically into the air, forcing workers, customers , bank workers, residents and community members to run in different directions for safety .
“By this time, the hired thugs have succeeded in locking both entrance and exit gates of the company with many workers stranded,” an eyewitness said.
Residents of the host communities were not also spared as many of them sustained injuries in the processing of running Helter skelter for their lives.
The attack also paralysed economic and other social activities in and around Obajana community throughout the day.
It also led to the disruption of vehicular traffick movement on the ever busy road for hours which resulted in hold up for greater part of the day.
Travellers heading to and from Northern and Southern parts of the country suffered pains as their vehicles were held up in the long traffick for hours.
The attack came on the heels of weeks of face off between the company and the Kogi State government over tax dispute and the state equity share in the company.
As a result, the Kogi State House of Assembly had on several occasions summoned the management of Dangote Cement Company to appear before it .
In its reaction, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said ”
Pursuant to the Constitutional authorities of the Kogi State House of Assembly, and upon petition by the people of Kogi State, an investigation was carried out on the acquisition of Obajana Cement Company by Dangote Company.
“It was found that no valid acquisition took place, as Dangote could not show evidence of what was paid as consideration for the acquisition.
“The Legislators invited the Chairman of the Company, Aliko Dangote, before the house for explanations but he failed to appear before the state Assembly, giving excuses.
” The House of Assembly therefore ordered the closure of the company, pending when they are able to present it with credible evidence of a valid acquisition.”
Also speaking, the Director-General, Lands, Kogi State, Nasir Ochi, said , “In this regard, the security agencies were directed to give effect to the resolution. Similarly, the various organs of Government were also informed about this resolution.
“By law, Kogi State House of Assembly can conduct investigation, order anyone to appear before it or produce any document.
“Failure to obey such summons may lead to the arrest of a Person who failed to appear.
“The Government of the State has an obligation to also respect and give effect to such resolution from the House in the interest of peace and security of the State, and to avoid anarchy or breakdown of law and order.
“In this regard, Dangote has an obligation to respect and also give effect to the resolution of the Kogi State House of Assembly to avoid any act of lawlessness.”
However, , members of the mining and host communities of the company have condemned the Kogi State Government for what they described as extra-judicial and unlawful deployment of member of the Kogi State Vigilante Service to cause chaos in the Obajana community.
Mr. David Oluruntoba, spokesman for the Oyo Mining host community described the act as primitive and disgraceful, saying the youths of the community can never be used, and will not take part in such ‘evil practices’.
“They called us to join them but I told them that the company has not offended us. We just signed a Community Development Agreement (CDA) and the company has been helping us and providing us with jobs.
“What has the government done for us, nothing. There is no basis to support the government.”
Speaking in the same vein, the spokesman for Iwaa mining community, Rotimi Kekereowo said: “We would never support government on this matter. What have they done for us? We don’t have a single political appointment at the State level. Even when we have problems of electricity and flooding, it was Dangote that was helping us. So, I want to repeat it. We will never support them.”
Speaking also, the Olu of Akpata, Chief Fredrick Balogun said he was never contacted and as such cannot justify the unwarranted invasion.
“We are royal fathers, and we will continue to seek the path of reconciliation and amicable resolution of any misunderstanding. We don’t have issues with the company,” he charged.
Mathew Ojonuga, a resident said important issue like flooding in the state which has rendered many homeless has not been attended to only to be chasing private companies that have been providing us with means of livelihood.
Said he ”the state governor should face the issue of flooding and let the people live in peace. If there are issues, let him employ dialogue and resolve it rather this kind of use of force.” (vitalnews)
