Natasha Homecoming
The Kogi State Police Command has called on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to cancel her planned Sallah rally/homecoming in Kogi Central Senatorial District, citing security concerns and a state government directive banning political gatherings. The appeal was made public on Tuesday in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya, on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye.
According to the statement, the decision to request the cancellation of the rally/homecoming follows an intelligence report indicating potential security threats. The police emphasized that the Kogi State Government had placed a ban on all forms of rallies and processions as a precautionary measure against possible violence.
“Following intelligence reports on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of rallies and processions by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organizers of the planned rally at Okene to cancel such an event in the interest of peace in Kogi State,” the statement read.
The police further warned that intelligence had revealed plans by certain hoodlums to hijack the rally and cause unrest. In light of this, the command stressed that it could not afford to compromise the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organizers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the state. The command will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on anyone who causes a disturbance,” the statement continued.
Despite the official directive, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to go ahead with her visit, describing it as a “homecoming” rather than a political gathering. She asserted that her trip to Kogi Central was intended to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents and should not be misconstrued as a political rally.
Dismissing rumors that she had canceled her visit, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s media team issued a statement early Tuesday confirming that the Sallah rally would proceed as scheduled.
“We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central Senatorial District will proceed as planned. Despite rumors circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit,” the statement read.
Reaffirming her commitment to her constituents, the senator urged the people of Kogi Central to join her in celebrating Eid-el-Fitr. She emphasized that her visit was purely to foster unity and goodwill among her supporters.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation. Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents,” the statement added.
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The senator’s confirmation of her visit came just hours after the Kogi State Government imposed a ban on rallies and public gatherings, citing security threats. The government also placed restrictions on certain community activities, including fishing, following recent violent incidents that led to the deaths of two individuals in Kogi Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Monday, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, explained that the government’s decision was based on intelligence reports suggesting that some individuals were planning to stage violent rallies under the guise of political and religious agitations in Kogi Central.
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