Security agencies will determine whether or not to arrest Natasha – Kogi Commissioner

By John Ogunsemore

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, should be questioned by security agencies for flouting Governor Usman Ododo’s ban on processions in the state.

Fanwo said this during an appearance on Channels TV‘s “Politics Today” programme on Tuesday.

However, the commissioner said only the security agencies can decide whether the suspended senator should be arrested.

On Monday, the Kogi government banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over ‘security reports’.

In a statement, Fanwo said the move was to prevent any form of security breach that might destabilise the state, adding that intelligence reports indicated that some persons were planning to “stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations” in Kogi Central.

The ban on rallies was announced ahead of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s homecoming.

The senator, who flew into the state in a helicopter, received a rousing welcome from supporters in Kogi on Tuesday.

Elated constituents from the five local government areas under Kogi Central gathered early in Ihima, Okehi LGA to receive the senator, despite the ban on rallies and processions.

Commenting on the development, Fanwo said, “There was a directive from the state governor and the security agencies were told to execute the directive.

“If someone has violated it, the security agencies do not need the governor again to give them another directive; they know what to do.

“Only the security agencies will be able to answer that (whether to arrest the senator or not); they know how they go about their operations. I am not a police officer but I am very sure that she should be asked a lot of questions about her incitements.”