Lokoja, August 18, 2026 – Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, on Tuesday visited Kupa Kingdom in Lokoja Local Government Area to commiserate with the people of the area over the Thursday, August 6, 2026, violent crisis in which 12 residents of the area were killed and properties worth million of Naira were destroyed.
The crisis erupted when Kupa Community Vigilante Group and a Hybrid Vigilante Group comprising Fulani herdersmen clashed over a minor security issue.
The armed fulani herdsmen launched reprisal attacks on Guchidan, Mikugi, Emiku and Abugi in Kupa Kingdom to avenge the death of one of their own.
During the attacks, three persons were killed in Eguchidan, six in Emiku and two in Abugi, in addition to the Fulani vigilante member killed during the initial confrontation.
Governor Ododo was received into the kingdom by the Maiyaki of Kupa land, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kabir Isa Dauda III.
The Governor who was accompanied by top government officials, security chiefs and political stakeholders, while condoling the people of Kupa Kingdom described the incident as unfortunate and painful.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the clash, urging the people to remain united and committed to peaceful coexistence.
Ododo apologised to the people over his delayed visit, stressing that the delay wasn’t a reflection of his concern for the community.
He said he had come personally to assess the situation and reassure the people that Kupa remained an important part of Kogi State.
The governor said his visit afforded him the opportunity to assess the security situation, healthcare needs, educational facilities, agricultural activities and the deplorable condition of roads leading to the community.
He noted that the difficult journey from Lokoja had further brought home the seriousness of the road challenge confronting the people.
Ododo disclosed that roads from Jamata through Kakanda, Abugi and Egon were already receiving the attention of the state government.
He added that what he personally witnessed in Kupa had strengthened his resolve to give the road leading to the community greater priority.
He promised to personally pursue the intervention, expressing the desire that his next visit to Kupa would take significantly less time.
The Governor also commended the traditional leadership of Kupa for maintaining peace and unity among the diverse ethnic groups living in the area.
He urged the people to support their traditional institution and continue to live together as brothers and sisters, stressing that Kupa is “a home of all and a land for all.”
Earlier, the Maiyaki of Kupa Land, Alhaji Kabir Isa Dauda III, while welcoming the governor and expressed appreciation for his visit, describing it as a demonstration that the state government cares about the people of Kupa.
He appealed for more security measures, improved healthcare, agricultural support, additional classrooms and teachers, as well as the rehabilitation of the Jamata–Kakanda–Abugi–Egon road.
The traditional ruler said the road remained particularly important because Kupa is predominantly agrarian.
He stressed that its rehabilitation would ease the movement of farmers and their produce to markets, reduce transportation difficulties and open up the community for greater economic development.
He also commended the recent resolution of the Kogi State House of Assembly on the crisis, thanking the Speaker and members for standing with the people during the difficult period.
He expressed confidence that with continued government intervention, the community would recover from the effects of the crisis and return fully to its farming, educational and economic activities.
Speaking in appreciation of the Governor’s visit, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, commended Ododo for identifying with the people of Kupa at a difficult moment and for his commitment to addressing their developmental challenges.
He reminded the Governor of the urgent need to construct the road leading to Kupa, describing it as the major route through which the predominantly farming community transports its agricultural produce to the market.
He, however, expressed confidence in the Governor’s commitment, saying that having promised to construct the road, he was confident that Governor Ododo would fulfil the promise.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
