National Security Council orders reopening of Dangote cement factory

The National Security Council (NSC) has ordered an immediate reopening of the Dangote Cement Factory in Obajana, Kogi State.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, joined by his Police Affairs counterpart, Mohammed Dingyadi, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, briefed reporters after the meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

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He advised that all issues in contention be resolved legally as the government was committed to providing employment.

The minister said: “Nobody must take law into their hands, either as a government or an individual. We are committed to guaranteeing and providing employment for Nigerians, so whatever will in any way hinder that must be discouraged. So, in that regard, the cement industry in Obajana must be reopened and all issues in dispute resolved legally.”

In his contribution, the minister of police affairs said an agreement had been reached between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Cement on the need to reopen the factory in Obajana and ensure that peace is maintained in the state, urging both parties to respect the agreement.

Dingyadi said, “Government is committed to providing employment to the citizens rather than closing factories that will make people unemployed. These are some of the issues we have reached. And 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. 

“This was under the supervision and the intervention of Mr President through the chief of staff. And we are very happy to say that an amicable solution has been reached to bring to an end to this very unfortunate development that has taken place in Kogi State.”

Speaking further on the outcome of the meeting, he said the NSC aligned with the position of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on the Appeal Court judgement that discharged the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, saying he has not been acquitted.

He said the government would now consider necessary actions on the matter.

Dingyadi said the council did not discuss the issue of a possible political solution, which Malami had talked about in November 2021, adding that government would explore appropriate actions on the matter and notify the public.

He said the council only discussed the Appeal Court judgement but noted that solutions to the matters could be considered as long as they are not subjudice. 

He said, “The issue of Kanu has also been raised and council was briefed. It was observed that Kanu was discharged, but he is not acquitted, so the government is considering the appropriate action to be taken on the matter, and Nigerians will be notified in due course.”

The minister of interior said the council also directed the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF), to set up a high-powered investigation committee over the crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, with a view to unravelling those behind it.

Aregbesola said the council also ordered all security agencies to stop illegal mining activities all over the country. 

On the 2023 elections, Aregbesola said, “We equally want to, again, emphasize the fact that, and that is the decision of the council, that we are committed to ensuring a transparent, free and fair electoral process in the coming elections and all the processes leading to it.” 

Speaking further, Dingyadi said the meeting also agreed on the need to fast-track the judicial process for the prosecution of terrorists to discourage other criminals.  

 No governor has power to acquire high calibre weapons – CDS 

Also speaking at the briefing yesterday, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor said no state governor had the authority to acquire high caliber weapons for use by quasi security outfits.

His reaction came after Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State gave the administration a one-month deadline to approve his request to obtain an AK-47 licence or he would seek counsel from his people on the best course of action.

He said the deployment of high calibre weapons such as the AK-47 rifles, among others, was strictly within the purview of the federal government-controlled security agencies.