The Kogi State House of Assembly yesterday was destroyed by fire which started in the middle of the night, but security personnel weren’t able to find it until around 7:00 a.m. on Monday.
The Hallowed Chamber of the parliamentarians was the area most severely damaged; the building’s roof, chairs, and tables were all destroyed.
Early visitors to the Assembly complex were the Speaker of the House, Prince Mathew Kolawole, and Commander Jerry Omodara, the state security adviser.
Hon. Kolawole while addressing newsmen said he suspected sabotage, but did not mention where the suspected sabotage was coming from.
“We should leave security people to do their work and give us a report going forward,” the speaker said.
A source said he suspected explosion but couldn’t explain who might be responsible.
However, the state government said security and technical experts are currently working hard to unravel the cause(s) of the fire, which has caused significant damage to the complex.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement, said,
“This is to inform the people of Kogi State and indeed Nigerians that the Kogi State House of Assembly has been razed down by fire. The sad occurrence happened in the early hours of Monday, October 10, 2022.
“Security and technical experts are currently working hard to unravel the cause(s) of the inferno which has caused significant damage to the Complex. The state government will inform the general public of findings as they unfold.
“We urge the general public to be calm, law abiding and resist the temptation of being lawless as the Government is capable of dealing with the likely outcome of the investigations.
“The state government will also make provision for temporary arrangements to ensure legislative business is not completely halted as a result of the unfortunate incident.”
It was also gathered that, It was Dangote Group that deployed its fire fighting equipment to put out the remaining fire and prevent it from extending to other offices.
MEANWHILE, the management of Dangote group has debunked allegations that it sponsored arsonists to set Kogi State House of Assembly on fire in the early hours of Monday, October 10, 2022.
The Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer for Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, in a statement , yesterday, said: “As a socially responsible corporate entity, we totally refute this allegation and condemn this unprofessional and irresponsible attempt to smear our image before local and international investors and thus erode our brand value.
“Dangote Group would never stoop so low as to sponsor thugs to destroy any property, belonging to either government or any individual. This runs contrary to our business ethos and everything we stand for as a leading manufacturer with teeming customers and consumers across Nigeria and Africa.
“Our lawyers have been mandated to react appropriately to the damaging allegation from the Kogi State government within the full extent of the law.
“We urge our stakeholders and the public to disregard such irresponsible and insane statements as we ask all our stakeholders, namely shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees, and the entire community of Obajana and Kogi State at large to remain calm while we follow the legitimate and lawful process to resolve this matter with the state government.”
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