Hoodlums, destroyed and set ablaze some constituency projects embarked upon by Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District of the state
The four destroyed constituency projects, which were part of the p r o j e c t s s l a t e d t o b e
commissioned by the senator include four blocks of classrooms each, at Government Girls Secondary School, Sarkin Noma; Lokongoma Secondary School, P h a s e 1 ; a n d A d a n k o l o Secondary School, all situated in Lokoja the state capital.
Although no arrest has been made yet over the destruction, Melaye also confirmed threats to his life, even as he claimed some l e a f l e t s w e r e c i r c u l a t e d yesterday, in Lokoja, signifying he would be attacked.
Reacting on behalf of the state government, the media aide to G o v e r n o r Ya h a y a B e l l o , Kingsley Fanwo, who spoke at the Government Girls Secondary School, Sarkin Nomo, said: “Government condemns the incident. Education is the leading thematic area of the state government and, so, it will not allow any element derail it. “Irrespective of who is doing the project, the fund is from government. So, weather it is the executive or legislative, such projects should rather be applauded and not destroyed. We have directed the security operatives to assess the situation, get to the root of the matter, unravel the perpetrators and bring them to book.” The state Commissioner for
Education, Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, who was among the government officials who visited the sites, said government will not fold its arms until the perpetrators are fished out. “We expect people to respect the sanctity of education. This act is m a s t e r m i n d e d a n d n o t accidental. The buildings were burnt, including the chairs. If not for the serving Corps members around, who tried to put out the flame, it would have been worse than this. “We appeal to everybody to collaborate with us in education and not use it as a meeting point for political sabotage. This is a
dastard act, the state interest should be paramount rather than the individual political ego.”
The State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Mr. Monday Kuryas who was also at hand narrated that the hoodlums forced their way into the buildings. He said the act was premeditated
as the arsonists used tyres to burn down the building and damaged some other structures.
Hoodlums, destroyed and set ablaze some constituency projects embarked upon by Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District of the state.