The Police Command in Kogi has stopped an alleged planned Sallah rally in Okene Local Government Area by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP – Kogi ).However, the senator has insisted that the rally would be held despite the police action. The Police Commissioner in Kogi, Mr Miller Dantawaye, announced the ban in a statement signed on his behalf by the command’s spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, in Lokoja on Tuesday.The embattled Akpoti-Uduaghan was expected to pay a Sallah visit to her constituency on Tuesday, where she planned to allegedly organize a rally against her ongoing supposed recall process.The visit was allegedly aimed at engaging with her community and constituents as well as fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation for the growth and development of the district.The commissioner explained that the ban was a sequel to an intelligence report on security threats in Kogi and a subsequent ban on all forms of rallies and processions by the state government.”The commissioner of police in Kogi, hereby, urges organisers of the planned rally to cancel it in the interest of peace in the state.“The call for cancellation became necessary, following intelligence revelations that some hoodlums planned to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the state.“The command cannot afford to jeopardise the existing peace the state is currently enjoying.“Given the security threat received on the planned rally, the command, is therefore, advising the organisers to cancel the event to avoid any breakdown of law and order .”The commissioner further warned that the command would not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on anyone, who disturbs the peace and order of the state.Natasha, in a statement by his media office, asked her supporters to ignore the police order, saying the rally would be held as scheduled.
