TIMOTHY AJIBOYE, Lokoja

The victims, who are now receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja include the chairman of Ankpa local government area of the state, Mr Yusuf who was reportedly shot.

Daily Champion learnt trouble started shortly after the state governor had taken his seat at the VIP section of the stadium, venue of the ceremony when a youth group called "Ibro Na Allah" took over the security of the gate leading to the stadium.

In the process the group which is rooting for the return of Governor Idris in 2007 allegedly denied other groups such as the Okun Yoruba from Kogi west senatorial district and Ebira from the central senatorial district entry into the stadium.

Ibro Na Allah which is from the Igala speaking area (Kogi East senatorial district) where the state governor hails from insisted that since the others were not in support of the incumbent, they should not be part of the celebration.

This development later degenerated into an ethnic war in which Igala, Ebira and Okun (Yoruba) engaged each other in a free-for-all fight, using various dangerous weapons.

As at press time over 60 people who sustained critical injuries were receiving treatment at the federal medical centre Lokoja.

Similarly over 10 cars belonging to government officials were vandalised just as the chairman of Ankpa local government area was said to have been hit by a bullet on his right ear.

The ceremony was abruptly ended while the state governor and his wife, Hajia Zainab Idris, deputy governor Chief Philip Salawu and his wife were whisked away from the venue.

The Police commissioner, Mr Bamidele Thomas had hectic time mobilising his men to control the situation as the riot later extended to nearby streets with shops and business premises destroyed by the warring youths.

As at the time of filing this report armed military men were seen patrolling the streets of Lokoja.

However, at a press conference held at the Government House, however Idris accused some armed thugs who hail from Okene of causing the crisis, stressing that the group came with the aim of disrupting the celebration organised by the state government.

According to him, "when policemen accosted the group to stop it from entering the stadium, they shot at the police and this led to exchange of fire between them and the police.

He disclosed that he had ordered the security agencies to ensure the arrest of those behind the unfortunate incident and also carry out thorough investigation to ascertain their real motives.

"Investigations revealed that this is the third time thugs from Okene would be disturbing the peace of the people of Kogi State and they have the support of a former Senator (names withheld) who is a chieftain of PDP as he has claimed that he would make the state ungovernable for me," Governor Idris alleged.

He appealed to the residents of Lokoja to go about their normal activities adding that his administration had brought the situation under control.