Kogi State House of Assembly complex located at Crusher Area, Lokoja, Kogi State has been ripped down with fire on Monday Morning.
The Speaker of the house, Mathew Kolawole, and the state security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, were among the early callers at the assembly complex.
It was gathered that the assembly gallery was completely burnt to ashes.
The fire incident started at about 8am on Monday.
The speaker of the House Prince Mathew Kolawole while speaking to journalists at the Assembly’s complex said the House would allow security agencies to investigate the incident.
He however said this would not stop the assembly from performing its duty as the resolution of the House concerning a cement company in the state stands.
Kogi Assembly Fire: we’ll await outcome of investigations – Kogi govt.
Confirms no life, documents lost to incidence.
We are suspecting sabotage – Kogi Assembly alleges.
Kogi State government has revealed that it would await the outcome of investigations by respective authorities before accrediting any source to the fire incidence at it’s State Assembly.
While conducting an on the spot assessment of situation at the Assembly complex, the State Governor, Yahaya Bello represented by his Deputy, Edward Onoja affirmed that such occurrence was strange to the state because it was the first time such event would occur on any property of the government.
The governor said “If people alleged sabotage as a the cause of the fire incidence, ongoing investigations will unravel the matter and as a responsible government it was pertinent to ensure that proper information were gathered, before coming to the public.”
He however debunked that the fire was connected to the 2023 general elections, stressing that the state has had series of such elections in previous years without recording fire occurrences.
He added that as regards whether the fire incidence was connected with the current tussle between Dangote Cement Company and Kogi state government over the ownership of Obajana Cement Company, the event was a legal matter which would be solved by documents and facts.
He added that the government was already threading on the path of seeking justice for the people of the state and would not resolve to self help.
The Governor announced that no lives or documents belonging to the state Assembly was lost in the fire incidence as the fire was contained within the Assembly chambers causing damage to the furniture and other internal parts of the chamber while the offices were largely spared.
He added that if the fire was targeted at destroying any documents of government, it failed in that regards, as all documents have been recovered and kept in a secured location.
The governor said government would do everything possible within it means to ensure that the Assembly members get back to their legislative duties, although the Assembly buildings would be sealed pending the conclusion of investigations, while believing that the state would get justice as regards getting back the property that belonged to the people of the state.
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