Security Expert Col. Suleiman Babanawa has expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence and loss of life in Omagede/Otutubatu, Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to him, “I feel extremely sad that Omagede/Otutubatu people of Omala are going through another orgy of blood letting. My sympathy goes to the people of Omala for the continuous loss of the lives of their people.”
Tracing the genesis of the conflict, Babanawa explained that a historical background and economic reasons are key to understanding the perennial security breach in Omala. “To understand the issues involved in the perennial security breach in Omala, we must look at the historical background, economic reasons and how people in high places (including some elites) have become dishonest on the main issues involved,” he stated.
A great war of succession was bitterly fought between the royal family of Igalaland at Idah and Abejukolo-Ife, which led to the settlement of Ihiankpe people on a land given to them by the Onu-Ife as compensation after the civil war. This, he said, has contributed to the bad blood between Onu-Ife and Onu Omagede, with Ihiankpe and Omagede being sworn enemies up to this day. “Both Ihiankpe and Omagede are sworn enemies up to this day. We can see why Ihiankpe who fought in the civil war on the side of Onu-Ife are not friends to Omagede. It is a case of my friend’s enemy is my enemy.”
The rise of Bagana as an important commercial center in the 19th century, with European traders establishing a river port, further complicated relationships between clans. “The Onu Omagede/Otutubatu collected royalties from the Europeans and sent returns direct to the Attah Igala at Idah. You can imagine the feelings of the sidelined Onu-Ife who owns Ife land bordering Otutubatu. Such sour relationships account for the bad blood between Onu-Ife and Onu Otutubatu -Bagana and also explains the security breaches in Omala today.”
The Ihiankpe and Omagede are the frontline enemies, with mercenary forces (Fulanis for Ihiankpe and Agatus for Omagede) often directly involved in the conflict. But from every investigation, Ihiakpe People were the first to kill Onu Otutubatu son in the early 90’s “Baba Obuje”
The Ihiankpe have given part of their land to Fulanis to live and hire them as mercenaries to fight Omagede and Agatus and of course from investigation, Omagede people have never directly attacked Ihiakpe rather Ihiakpe always hiring mercenaries to attack Omagede which have rendered them homeless without shelters till this day and the Ihiakpes and Fulani took over their farm Land and Bagana collecting revenues.
Meanwhile, the Omagede people consider Bagana as their land and hire Agatu militants to fight Fulanis on defense of their homeland as Bagana became the base of Fulani forces then launching attacks to Benue state.
Babanawa emphasized the need for lasting peace, suggesting that the Kogi State government, Attah Igala-in-Council, and stakeholders must solve the security threats without further delay. “The government of Kogi State, the Attah Igala in-Council and well-meaning stakeholders must solve Omala Security threats without further delay. The Fulani will continue to have serious inroad into Omala and Igalaland if things are left the way they are.”
To achieve peace, Babanawa proposed the deployment of a full battalion of infantry soldiers to Bagana, recognition of Onu Omagede as the legitimate Onu Bagana, and a permanent peace pact between Ihiankpe and Omagede. “The government must ensure a full Battalion of Infantry soldiers is stationed in Bagana to serve as deterrence to the warring factions.”
He also called on the Onu-Ife, Onu Omagede/Otutubatu, and Ihiankpe to take specific actions to promote peace, including forgiveness, acceptance of stakeholders, and diplomacy in disengaging Fulanis from occupied land. “The human spirit and sincere intentions, not the letters of the law, will bring lasting peace to Bagana.”