The Yahaya Bello-led administration in Kogi state has shut down a Dangote Cement factory.
The Kogi House of Assembly had shut down the factory after indigenes raised questions concerning the ownership of the company.
Youths also claimed that the company was a source of pollution to the environment while the host community had been neglected.
An investigation which was said to have being conducted into the company’s operations allegedly revealed that there was nothing much to show on the circumstances surrounding its acquisition.
When the company was asked to appear before the Assembly, the officials had shun the invitation despite asking for more time.
In a statement, the Kogi Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said a yet-to-be-identified youth was shot and is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in Lokoja.
“The Kogi State Government wishes to express total support for the decision of the Kogi State House of Assembly to seal the Dangote Cement Company over ownership tussle between the State Government and the Dangote Group,” the statement reads.
“The successful sealing of the factory is a welcome development to enable all parties advance providing answers to the various unanswered questions surrounding the ownership of the Company.
“Today’s operation at Obajana has further opened the eyes of the State Government to the criminal hub that Obajana is fast becoming, with the level of arms and ammunition deployed by hoodlums hired to stop the sealing of the company as directed by the State House of Assembly.”
Speaking further, Fanwo thanked the youths who came out in the hundreds to support the sealing of the company and also the security agencies who stopped some forces trying to go against the closure directive.
He disclosed that one of the youths involved in the agitation was shot and is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in Lokoja.
“It is our responsibility as a government to protect the interest of our people and we will stop at nothing to ensure Kogi’s resources work for Kogi people.
“The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello, has directed security agencies to fish out those who shot the innocent youth at Obajana and bring them to justice,” he added.
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