1st April 2025
The Kogi state police command have asked Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan to cancel her planned Sallah rally in the Central Senatorial District due to security concerns.
The State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, who gave the directive, in a statement released on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya, said the rally goes against the state government’s recent ban on political gatherings, which was announced on Monday.
Excerpt from the statement reads, “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.”
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The police further warned against any attempts to defy the directive, saying, “In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State.”
“As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on anyone who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Though the state government, has banned political gatherings in the state as announced on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan had insisted that she would go ahead with her “homecoming,” that she is only returning to the state to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents and supporters.
