Kopako community in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger state have been deserted over the alleged imposition of a village head on the people against the age long tradition of rotational mode of producing traditional head between the five ruling houses.
The uneasy development in the affected communities has led to the loss of properties worth several millions of Naira.
It was learnt the ensuing crisis led to hundreds of people fleeing the area over threats to their lives.
The crisis which has caused distrust among the once people climaxed with the appointment of a new village head at Kopako after the death of the former occupant of the traditional stool and this resulted to intimidation and subsequent attacks by some groups who have vowed to have their way against the age long rotational tradition.
Though unconfirmed source had it that the Etsu Nupe and chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar is aware of the brewing feud and have called for caution, our correspondent learnt that some people have been working tirelessly to have the Etsu Nupe do their bidding by distorting the age long order of ascension.
In a four page letter signed by Counsel to one of the ruling houses, Oluwole Oluranti Esq tittled, “Complain against threats to life, causing grievous hurt, possession of dangerous weapons dated 27th April 2024 to the Commissioner of police, Niger state Command, the people said they are no longer safe as they are being taunted by some individuals who are bent on causing breach of peace by imposing themselves on the people.
The petition which gave vivid details of mode of producing traditional head among the five Kopako ruling houses also showed details of the agreement by leaders of the ruling houses affirming their acceptance of rotational headships.
The aggrieved house however said they were amazed that after the death of last village head, Mall Muhammed Kuso Gana in March 2024 and it became the turn of Zhitsu Gbogbo rulling house to ascend the throne but some people maneuvered their way and unilaterally installed Alhaji Mohammed Yisa of Zhitsu Yisa compound against the people’s wishes.
The people who said they resisted the temptations of taking laws into their hands despite the injustices meted out to them recalled how representatives from all the rulling houses approached the Etsu Nupe at Wadata palace, Bida on the 24th of April who after listening to all affected parties directed that Alhaji Mohammed Yisa be removed and replaced by the rightful person from Zhitsu Gbogbo rulling house.
The Etsu Nupe, according to them also directed that the rotational ascension endorsed by the Bida Emirate Council be strictly adhered to as part of measures to avoid break down of law and order in the affected communities.
While expressing concerns over breach of order of ascending to the traditional headship which has led to incessant attacks on his clients as both the state police command, Bida Area Command and the Doko Divisional Police station are in the picture of the crisis but seemed overwhelmed by it.
The statement in parts read, “This inaction by the police seems to have given the attackers courage to re-group and attack my clients on 25th, 26th and 27th of April without legal actions on the over 20 principal perpetrators of the heinous crimes”.
Oluwole who is seeking for the prompt intervention of the security agencies to bring to a permanent halt to the ugly situation to enable his clients go back to their homes and go about their normal businesses.
When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the recipient of the complaint letter from the aggrieved house on 29th April, 2024 but said the letter have been referred to the SCID Minna for proper investigations.
The SCID operatives, according to the PPRO have been mobilized to the scene on 4th May but that the alleged suspects were no where to be found.
“They were on the run”, the PPRO said, adding however that the police is working with the community to apprehend the perpetrators and assured that the perpetrators will be brought to book.
Also in an interview, the state Commissioner for Home Land and Security, Major-Gen Abdullahi Bello (rtd) confirmed the crisis in Kopako community but assured that the issue would be resolved within shortest possible time.
Maj-Gen Abdullahi said, “The government is not resting to put the situation under control, all security agencies have been put on their toes to avert any possible out break of law and order as punitive measures have been put in place to punish anyone found wanting”.
