By Our Correspondent
A fresh response to the debate over insecurity in Dekina Local Government Area has challenged claims suggesting that the local government enjoyed uninterrupted peace under the administration of former Chairman, Prince Ishaq Shaibu Okolo.
The rejoinder, issued in response to a post by Akagwu Media TV, said security challenges in Dekina should not be politicised or used to create what it described as a misleading contrast between the past and present administrations.
It said the current Chairman, Hon. John Urah Ikani, remains the duly entrusted leader of the local government and deserves recognition for genuine efforts aimed at maintaining peace.
Names of Victims Listed
To support its argument that insecurity did not begin under the current administration, the rejoinder listed several people it said lost their lives during Prince Ishaq Okolo’s tenure.
They include Shaggari Ojjiji, APC Iyale Ward Chairman; Musa Memory, APC Youth Leader in Egume Ward; Adegbe Iyoma of Ajiolo Ojaji; Abdulrahaman Hassan of Abocho; a schoolboy in Abocho; Ogwu, a timber dealer in Anyigba; Tijani Ogbogolo; Umoru Hassan of Agala Road, Anyigba; Danladi Hassan; Usman Idris Akahaba; and Abbas Shaibu Atilary.
The statement described the victims as human beings whose deaths affected families and communities, insisting that their memories should not become political ammunition.
It also cited the kidnapping of Yunusa in 2020 while he was leaving Prince Ishaq’s residence, adding that the location where he was killed was outside Dekina LGA.
Other Deaths Mentioned
The response went further to mention Hon. Adejoh Akowe, Shaibu Alih Exban, Cboy Achema Awokee, Yusuf Musa of Agudoko Junction, Anyigba, Usman Ocheni, popularly called Cornell, Sunday Omale of Oganaji, Anyigba, and Ukekwu Ojeomu.
According to the statement, the incidents reinforce its position that security challenges cannot fairly be assessed by simply claiming that there was peace during one administration and insecurity under another.
“Security Should Not Be Politicised”
The rejoinder argued that the responsibility for security involves multiple actors and cannot be reduced solely to the office of a local government chairman.
It also cautioned against attributing incidents that occur outside Dekina LGA to the chairman merely because the victims are indigenes of the area.
The statement therefore called for a more comprehensive approach to security, involving government authorities, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders.
It further expressed support for the efforts of the incumbent chairman, Hon. John Urah Ikani, while calling for stronger security measures to safeguard residents.
The response urged stakeholders to focus less on political comparisons and more on finding sustainable solutions to insecurity across Dekina communities.
Below is the unedited report;
REJOINDER TO ‘’INSECURITY THEN AND NOW IN DEKINA LGA’’ POSTED BY AKAGWU MEDIA TV
Let’s set the record straight.
Nobody should politicise insecurity, and nobody should use the genuine concerns of Dekina people as an opportunity to create a false impression that one administration had a monopoly over peace and security.
Dekina Local Government has experienced different security challenges under different administrations.
First, let us acknowledge the obvious: Hon. John Urah Ikani is the Chairman of Dekina LGA today, and the people have entrusted him with leadership. His administration deserves the opportunity to govern, and every genuine effort toward maintaining peace should be acknowledged.
He has been described by many supporters as the Chairman of Hope and Restoration.
But, the attempt by some commentators to present the past administration of Hon. Prince Ishaq Shaibu Okolo as though insecurity was virtually nonexistent requires a more balanced examination.
INSECURITY DID NOT START TODAY
Below are some of the fatal incidents recorded during the tenure of Prince Ishaq Okolo.
1. Shaggari Ojjiji, APC Iyale Ward Chairman was killed.
2. Musa Memory, APC Youth Leader, Egume Ward.
3. Adegbe Iyoma, Ajiolo Ojaji.
4. Abdulrahaman Hassan, Abocho.
5. A School Boy, Abocho.
6. Ogwu, Timber Dealer, Anyigba.
7. Tijani Ogbogolo, Anyigba.
8. Umoru Hassan, Agala Road, Anyigba.
9. Danladi Hassan, Abocho.
10. Usman Idris Akahaba, Anyigba.
11. Abbas Shaibu Atilary, Agbeji, Anyigba.
And let’s not forget that Yunusa himself was kidnapped in 2020 while leaving Prince Ishaq’s house as Chairman. The location where he was killed on the road is not even within Dekina LGA..
These names represent human lives, families and communities. They should never be reduced to political ammunition.
And this is exactly why the argument that “there was peace then, but there is insecurity now” is too simplistic.
LET’S CONTINUE WITH THE RECORD
During Prince Ishaq’s tenure, several tragic incidents also occurred:
* Hon. Adejoh Akowe was killed during his tenure.
* Shaibu Alih Exban was also killed during his time.
* Cboy Achema Awokee was beaten to death During his tenure.
* Yusuf Musa was killed at Agudoko Junction, Anyigba.
* Usman Ocheni, popularly known as Cornell, was killed.
* Sunday Omale was also killed in Oganaji, Anyigba.
* Ukekwu Ojeomu was killed in Anyigba.
The list is much longer.
If someone travels outside Dekina LGA and unfortunately becomes a victim of crime elsewhere, it is unfair and dishonest to blame the Dekina Chairman simply because the victim is from Dekina.
That is not how security administration works.
The freedom of movement, absence of harassment, and peace enjoyed by the people of Dekina LGA today are a reflection of the purposeful leadership of our Chairman, Hon. John Urah Ikani.
Instead of the baseless comparing Ishaq’s administration with John Ikani administration, let us demand a stronger security framework for Dekina.
In addition, key stakeholders, traditional rulers, and the government understand both the past and present security situation in Dekina LGA and continue to support the current Chairman, Hon. John Urah Ikani, in his efforts to do what is best for the people.