Normalcy returns to Dangote Plant in Kogi, injured workers on admission

Obajana Cement Factory

Normalcy has returned to Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana, Kogi State, after the attempted closure of the company by some youths on Wednesday.

Some youths in the state had on Wednesday, in company of some armed vigilante group, invaded the premises of the company in an attempt to shut it down.

The Kogi State House of Assembly had on Tuesday after plenary ordered the closure of Dangote Cement Plant over what it described as fraudulent acquisition of the company by Dangote Group.

However, normalcy, on Friday, returned to the company as normal activities have resumed with the gates being guarded by armed security men.

A close source of the company revealed that the company was working on resuming normal activities after the interruption on Wednesday.

“As you can see, uneasy calm has returned to Dangote Cement Company here in Obajana.

“Our worry is the more than 26 people of the company that were shot during the unlawful invasion last Tuesday.

“We are not exaggerating because we have all the pictures of the wounded. Some of the shot victims were rushed to Specialist Hospital, Lokoja,” he said.

NAN correspondent, who visited the hospital on Friday, met some of the wounded victims, who refused to speak on the matter.

“Sorry I can’t talk to you about what happened that day because we have been told not speak to the press.

“As you can see one of my legs is bandaged because of gun shot that hit me while I was in my office,” the victim said.

A check round the wounded showed that one Tijani was probably in a critical condition.

The source explained that the claim by Kogi State Government that the cement factory initially belong to Kogi State but shrewdly acquired by Dangote as untrue.

It said records are available on the acquisition of the company, adding that the record would provide the much needed solution to the crisis

Responding, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello, Mr Mohammed Onogu, said the governor was only trying to have a transparent solution to the crisis between the company and the state.

“What our governor is interested in is the wellbeing of Kogites and how to open up opportunities for investors to see how the state can develop the more in the interest and benefits of the residents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Bello on Thursday enjoined the management of Dangote to be available for a dialogue over the true position of company.

The Star