Man shot during Dangote cement factory sealing in Kogi

One person has reportedly been shot during a clash involving youths and vigilantes at the Obajana factory of the Dangote Cement in Kogi State.

The clash is the fallout of a tussle between the state government and Dangote Cement following a move by the state to seal off the company’s factory amid an ownership tussle.

The Kogi State House of Assembly had ordered the sealing of the factory following agitations by indigenes who raised questions about the ownership of the company.

Some youths were also said to have claimed that the company constituted a source of pollution for the environment, while the host community had been neglected.

Dangote Cement was said to have been invited to appear before the assembly but its officials failed to show up.

Amid moves by the state to seal off the factory on Wednesday, youths were said to have surrounded the area, while there was a shooting incident.

Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said a yet-to-be-identified youth was shot and 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 read.

“The successful sealing of the factory is a welcome development to enable all parties to provide 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.

“We thank the enthusiastic young men and women who came out in their hundreds to support the sealing of the company as well as our gallant security agents for repelling the criminals that were hired to stop the implementation of a lawful resolution by the law-making body of the state.

“It is unfortunate that one of the youths supporting the sealing of the company in solidarity with the House of Assembly resolution was shot by the hired gunmen of the capitalist and he 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.”

Kogi State Government is said to be asking for 10 per cent shares from the representatives of Dangote Cement company as they note that all available documents show that the company started as Obajana Cement Company and not Dangote Cement Company.