About 100 people have fled Kopako community in Lavun Local Council of Niger State following a communal crisis over the appointment of a village head.The Guardian learnt that the tussle had recently resulted in intimidation and subsequent attacks by some groups who, due to sentiments deliberately ignored rules laid down by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
The community members, in a four-page letter signed by their counsel, Oluwole Oluranti, said ascendency to the throne of Village Head of Kopako community was recently affirmed with an agreement by all the ruling houses.
The letter was titled: ‘Complaint against threat to life, causing grievous hurt, possession of dangerous weapons’. It was received by the Niger State Commissioner of Police. It indicated that the perpetrators disregarded the directives of the Etsu Nupe.
Paragraph three of the letter indicated that after the death of the last village head, Muhammed Kuso Gana, in March 2024, it was the turn of the Zhitsu Gbogbo ruling house to ascend the throne. But due to shoddy deals by some personalities, one Alhaji Mohammed Yisa of Zhitsu Yisa compound was unilaterally installed.
It was as a result of the injustice that all the ruling houses approached the Etsu Nupe at the Wadata Palace Bida on April 24. The monarch, after listening to all affected parties, directed that Alhaji Mohammed Yisa be removed and replaced by the rightful person from Zhitsu Gbogbo ruling house.
The Etsu Nupe also directed that the rotational ascension established by the palace be strictly adhered to as part of resolutions to avoid future clashes. Oluwole Oluranti, in the letter also expressed worry over incessant attacks on his clients, lamenting that the police seem to be overwhelmed.
He said: “This inaction by the police seems to have given the attackers courage to regroup and attack my clients on April 25, 26 and 27, without legal action on over 20 principal perpetrators of the heinous crimes.”
Oluwole sought prompt intervention by security agencies to bring the ugly situation under control to enable his clients to go back to their community. When contacted, spokesperson for the police command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed receiving the complainant’s letter, saying it had been referred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for proper investigation. He said the police were working with the community to apprehend the perpetrators, assuring that they will be brought to book.
Commissioner for Homeland and Security, Major-General Abdullahi Bello Mohammed, confirmed the crisis in Kopako community, saying: “The government is not resting. All security agencies have been put on their toes to avert any possible outbreak of law and order. Measures have been put in place to punish anyone found wanting.”
