The Kogi Government has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Gov. Ibrahim Idris.

Gov. Ahmed Ododo announced the death in a statement through the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, on Sunday in Lokoja.

Ododo described the passing of the former governor as a profound loss to Kogi and Nigeria at large, and has declared a three-day period of mourning in his honour.

Ododo directed that the national flag and the Kogi State flag be flown at half-mast in all government offices and other designated public institutions throughout the mourning period.

The governor had earlier visited the residence of the late Idris in Abuja where he commiserated with members of the bereaved family.

In a condolence letter addressed to the family, Ododo said Kogi had been robbed of an eminent son who devoted a significant part of his life to the service of the people.

As part of measures to honour the late statesman, Ododo announced that the former governor would be given a State Burial, with the Kogi Government taking full responsibility for all burial expenses and arrangements.

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, popularly known as Ibro, served as Kogi Governor from 2003 to 2011.

Ododo noted that Idris’s administration contributed significantly to the development and institutional growth of the state.

The governor noted that the late Idris administration witnessed important interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical sectors.

He added that the impact of his years in office will remain an enduring part of Kogi’s developmental history.

“His years in public office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental journey of Kogi State,” Ododo said.

Beyond projects and policies, the governor said the late former governor would be remembered as a committed public servant who gave his best to the responsibilities entrusted to him by the people.

Ododo urged the Idris family to draw strength from the enduring legacies of his service and the positive impact he made on countless lives across the State.

He said that while the state mourns, the death of the former Governor also provides an opportunity to reflect on a life dedicated to public service and the growth of Kogi.

Ododo extended his deepest condolences to the Idris family, friends, associates and all those mourning the former Governor.

He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and gives the family and the people of Kogi the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. (NAN).

Tella Onah 

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has expressed condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the deaths of detained persons in Minna.

Alake, in a statement issued at the weekend, described the incident as a tragic loss of lives and said his thoughts and prayers were with the bereaved families and communities affected by the incident.

He commended the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for declaring a period of mourning and establishing an investigative framework to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The minister stressed the need for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation to establish accountability and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in detention and correctional facilities.

Alake said his ministry was particularly concerned because the deceased persons were reportedly arrested on suspicion of engaging in illegal mining activities.

He disclosed that he had deployed a high-powered team of officials from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to Niger State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the facts.

According to him, the ministerial team will work with other investigators and relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and provide a report on its findings.

“Given the allegation that the detained persons were arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal mining, I have deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the circumstances and ascertain the facts of the matter,” he said.

He added that the team would collaborate with other investigators to provide a comprehensive report on the incident.

Alake prayed for comfort for the families of the deceased and eternal rest for the departed souls.

The Niger Government on Sunday held a special prayer session for the repose of the souls of the 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger Command.

The special prayer session was held at the Tunga Central Mosque, Minna, and was led by Jibrin Isah, Chief Imam of Minna.

Prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased, comfort for their bereaved families and divine guidance and wisdom for Gov. Umaru Bago and other leaders.

Prayers were also offered for peace and stability in Niger and Nigeria.

NAN reports that some families of the deceased, government officials, Islamic scholars and other sympathisers attended the prayer session.

Speaking with newsmen after the prayers, Bago reassured the families of the deceased that the government was doing everything possible to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

He said the outcome of the investigation would be made public.

“We are not going to take anything for granted; we will make sure we probe as deeply as we can to get the real causes of these deaths,” he said.

Bago said the state government would provide palliatives to support the families of the deceased, adding that the Minna Emirate Council would be involved in the distribution process.

“The Emir himself will be superintendent over whatever the state government is going to give to the families of the deceased and will also find a way of reaching out to those still in the hospital,” he said.

The governor also announced that the curfew imposed in Minna metropolis following the unrest triggered by the deaths would be lifted after Sunday night.

He appealed to residents, particularly youths, to shun violence and maintain peace and order in the metropolis.

Bago urged the people to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.(NAN).