Gov Ododo Visits Kupa, Commiserates With Victims of Recent Crisis, Pledges Renewed Development Push
Abugi/Kupa
August 18, 2026
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has visited Kupa in Lokoja Local Government Area to commiserate with the people and the Maiyaki of Kupa land, His Royal Highness, Pharmacist Kabir Isa Dauda III, over the recent crisis that claimed lives and disrupted the peace of the community.
The Governor, who was accompanied by top government officials, security chiefs and political stakeholders, described the incident as unfortunate and painful, praying for the repose of those who lost their lives and urging the people to remain united and committed to peaceful coexistence.
The crisis, which occurred a few weeks ago, reportedly began as a disagreement between two individuals before degenerating into violence that affected communities including Guchidan, Mikugi and Abugi.
Governor Ododo apologised to the people for his delayed visit, stressing that the delay was not a reflection of his concern for the community. He said he had come personally to assess the situation and reassure the people that Kupa remained an important part of Kogi State.
The Governor said his visit afforded him the opportunity to assess the security situation, healthcare needs, educational facilities, agricultural activities and the deplorable condition of roads leading to the community. He noted that the difficult journey from Lokoja had further brought home the seriousness of the road challenge confronting the people.
He disclosed that roads from Jamata through Kakanda, Abugi and Egon were already receiving attention, adding that what he personally witnessed in Kupa had strengthened his resolve to give the road leading to the community greater priority. He promised to personally pursue the intervention, expressing the desire that his next visit to Kupa would take significantly less time.
Governor Ododo also commended the traditional leadership of Kupa for maintaining peace and unity among the diverse ethnic groups living in the area. He urged the people to support their traditional institution and continue to live together as brothers and sisters, stressing that Kupa is “a home of all and a land for all.”
Earlier, the the Maiyaki of Kupa Land, HRH Pharmacist Kabir Isa Dauda III, welcomed the Governor and expressed appreciation for his visit, describing it as a demonstration that the state government cares about the people of Kupa. He appealed for strengthened security, improved healthcare, agricultural support, additional classrooms and teachers, as well as the rehabilitation of the Jamata–Kakanda–Abugi–Egon road.
The traditional ruler said the road remained particularly important because Kupa is predominantly agrarian, stressing that its rehabilitation would ease the movement of farmers and their produce to markets, reduce transportation difficulties and open up the community for greater economic development.
He also commended the recent resolution of the Kogi State House of Assembly on the crisis, thanking the Speaker and members for standing with the people during the difficult period. The Cheif expressed confidence that with continued government intervention, the community would recover from the effects of the crisis and return fully to its farming, educational and economic activities.
Speaking in appreciation of the Governor’s visit, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, commended Governor Ododo for identifying with the people of Kupa at a difficult moment and for his commitment to addressing their developmental challenges. The Speaker reminded the Governor of the urgent need to construct the road leading to Kupa, describing it as the major route through which the predominantly farming community transports its agricultural produce to the market. He, however, expressed confidence in the Governor’s commitment, saying that having promised to construct the road, he was confident that Governor Ododo would fulfil the promise.
