The National Security Council has intervened in a tussle between the Kogi State Government and the management of Dangote Group over the ownership of the Obajana Cement Company.
Recall that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi had ordered the closing of the cement factory, claiming that the Dangote factory belongs to the state government.
But while addressing House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting held in Abuja on Friday, the minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, said an agreement had been reached to ensure the re-opening of the Company to give room for peace in the State.
He said: “An agreement has been reached between the Kogi State government and the Dangote Cement in Kogi on the need to re-open the factory and ensure that there is peace in the State.
”Government is committed to the provision of employment to its citizens rather than closing factories that will make people unemployed.
”We do hope that the parties involved will respect this agreement and come to terms with the memorandum of understanding signed by the parties involved,” he added.
Mr Dingyadi said the agreement was reached under the supervision of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Reacting to the Thursday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal on the leader of the outlawed group, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, the minister said Mr Kanu was only discharged, not acquitted of the terrorism charges levelled against him by the Federal Government.
According to him, the Council was briefed and it observed that Mr Kanu was discharged and not acquitted.
He said: “The issue of Kanu has also been raised and council was briefed on the state of things on the matter.
”And it was observed that Kanu was discharged but he is not acquitted.
”So, government is considering the appropriate action to be taken on the matter and Nigerians will be notified of the position that will be finally taken on the matter in due course.”
