The invasion of Dangote Cement Plant in Obajana, Kogi State, by government-sponsored vigilantes has not been described as violation if fundamental human rights, but also a gross vandalism of the company’s assets.
Over 500 “Government Vigilantes” invaded the company on Wednesday at the behest of the state governor and forcefully shut down its operations.
READ: Kogi Govt Knocked for Shutting Dangote Cement Plant
Cement trucks were also burnt, and many others were vandalized, as they forcefully hijacked Dangote buses and vans.
Market and business activities have been brought to a standstill since the attack was launched, according to many trade unions.
“No fewer than 27 Dangote staff are currently in bad conditions after they were shot at by the invaders,” a statement from the company read.
The control rooms were forcefully shut down and equipment whose monetary value have not been computed was vandalized. Communication cords were also severed to bring production to an abrupt halt, the company claimed.
READ: Vigilantes Led By Kogi Politicians Invade Dangote Cement Industry in Obajana
The marauding invaders also blocked the roads, distorted vehicular movement, and restrict the movement of people all around Obajana.
“Since the criminal attack, our vehicles carrying diesel have been attacked along Anyigba road,” the statement further read.
The victims of the invasion are currently admitted to the emergency section of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja.
Tijani Mukhtari, 45, who was shot severally in the lower abdomen and in other parts by the assaulants, is currently battling for his life, as health workers who were seen attending to him said he was slated for emergency surgery.
Mukhtari was having difficulty breathing when the company visited him, as he was experiencing extreme pain from the bullets lodged in his body.
In the same vein, Aminu Sarki, 43, a fleet officer at the Transport section of the Dangote Cement Plant, who was shot in the leg, condemned the act as illegal and criminal in nature.
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Narrating his ordeal, Sarki said he was inside his office when a strayed bullet pierced through and hit him on the leg.
“Because of loud gunshots by the governor’s boys, I was just hiding inside our office at the PTI when the bullets hit me and got lodged inside my legs,” he said.
Sarki called on the Federal Government to intervene quickly and help stop the excesses by the “Kogi State governor and his thugs.”
Narrating hishardship, 21-year-old Isyaku Adamu, one of the victims who was also shot, described the invasion as barbaric and nasty.
He called on both the company and the government to resolve the conflict in the interest of the masses who will be most affected.
