How we maintain peace between herdsmen and farmers – Koton-Karfe monarch
You were a police officer before you became the traditional ruler of Koton Karfe (Ohimege-Igu), how did it happen?
I was born on March 27, 1965 in Kaduna State. My late father was an Air Force officer. After primary school here in Koton-Karfe, I went to Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja. After secondary school, I went to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and the University of Jos, where I obtained a diploma in Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts respectively. I did my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Akwa Ibom and Niger State. Upon completion, I applied for the cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) course in 1994. On completion, I was posted to Ondo State on April 4, 1996. I was in Ondo for 13 years as a field officer in various departments. Thereafter, I was posted to the headquarters in Abuja as Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Administration in the E-Department. In 2012, the clarion call to come back home came and I eventually became the Ohimege. I was turbaned on October 5, 2012. On October 12, 2012, I was officially installed as the Ohimege-Igu.
I actually served in the police for 18 years and 10 months. Some of my course mates are already commissioners and assistant commissioners of police.
Although every prince would like to become a king, but sincerely, I didn’t know how I was chosen. Allah is the one who gives power. In fact, a lot of people were qualified to sit on this throne, but Allah chose me.
Can you share your experience as a traditional ruler?
I am very happy that I served in all the departments of the police. It is a training ground for leadership. I have brought my everyday experience in service to bear in running the affairs of the kingdom, especially in terms of land management, dispute between communities and families. On a daily basis, we receive complaints on criminal and matrimonial matters. The complaints we receive here are more than what I received in my entire stay in the police force. It is very challenging, but I have no regret at all.
Would you say there’s government presence in your kingdom, especially in terms of developmental projects?
We are yet to see meaningful development, both from the federal and state governments. We need access to basic health care, education, social amenities like potable water, good roads His Royal Majesty Abdulrazaq Gambo Isakoto is the Ohimege-Igu (paramount ruler) of Koton-Karfe in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State. In this interview with he spoke on the fight against corruption and criminalities in the country, his experience in the police force before ascending the throne, the nonpayment of workers’ salaries, amongst other important issues.
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etc. These development.
Primarily, we are an agrarian community. We are predominantly fishermen, but today, even the River Niger and River Benue are drying up. Most of our ponds are also drying up. We still use the old methods of farming with cutlasses and hoes. We don’t have access to credit facilities that would enable us acquire modern farming implements.
We are still a community in search of development despite our strategic location as the last local government towards the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Kogi State capital. Ordinarily, we should benefit from federal and state government projects and institutions. Unfortunately, apart from the prison and the police division, there’s no federal presence here, neither is there any state tertiary institution. However, we are creating our own local economy and forging ahead. are what bring
What is your impression about the fight against insurgency in the North-East?
Sincerely, the troops have performed exceptionally well. The magnitude of the crisis before the coming of this present administration was such that we almost lost hope. The entire North-East was overtaken by Boko Haram insurgents, but the story is now different.
What is your take on President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts at tackling corruption in the country?
Corruption is a thing of concern for an average Nigerian because no sector is exempted. If you limit it to one sector you would be making a mistake. In Nigeria, you see corruption even at the family level, up to the ward, local government, state and federal establishments. Corruption is in every institution. We need to give a 100 per cent support to the government.
Why would somebody keep such a large amount of money in his house? What is he doing with it while others don’t even have enough to eat? We need the fear of God in us. We came into this world with nothing and we will return with nothing. The problem many people have in life is lack of contentment. It is Allah that gives and takes. You don’t need too much money to survive. There are millions of people today who don’t even know the difference between hunger and poverty.
Some states are owing their workers for several months. What is your advice for them, especially considering the current harsh economic reality in the country?
When salaries are not paid, the multiplier effect is usually great because a lot of people depend on these workers. It also impacts negatively on the entire system. It, therefore, behooves on government to ensure that workers are paid. How much is the minimum wage, by the way?
What is your advice to some youths who get involved in crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery etc?
It all boils down to contentment. I know the rate of unemployment is high, but it is not an excuse for anybody to engage in crime. I told my subjects sometime ago that while we were growing up, only few people worked for the government. When we counted, we had less than 20 persons working for government. People engaged in one form of trade or another for survival. But today, it is not like that. We all want to work for the government. And we are in a haste to make quick money. We want to drive the best cars, wear the best dress, and so on. At the end of the day, when you start working for government, you discover that your salaries cannot meet your Ordinarily, we should benefit from federal and state government projects and institutions. Unfortunately, apart from the prison and the police division, there’s no federal presence here, neither is there any state tertiary institution needs. But if you are contented with the rate at which you grow and with what you have, you will be able to manage things properly.
The desire to make quick money is sincerely one of the reasons our youths go into crimes, especially kidnapping. I am happy the Kogi State Government is taking serious steps to curb this menace.
This brings us to the issue of funding, especially the police force. How much is allotted to the DPO here to run his division? The issue of funding for the police and other security agencies is still a big problem.
What do you think is the way forward on the farmers-herders crisis across the country?
Sincerely, the crisis between farmers and herdsmen is agelong. It is the manner in which some communities handle it that often leads to escalation. Since my assumption of office, we have been able to ensure that the Fulani and the indigenes live peacefully. We don’t even know where they came from because they have stayed here for a long time. They are now indigenes. We also have other Fulani people who are on transit. Those ones on transit are the ones who often perpetrate these crises. We depend on the old ones who are indigenes of this area to fish out those on transit. If there is crisis, we work with community heads and the overall Sarkin Fulani or the Ardo to restore peace. We often bring them to a roundtable and amicably resolve the problems. And whoever is at fault is usually punished. That is how we ensure peace in my kingdom. We ensure justice for all.
We have never had any adverse situation in that respect here because we meet with the Fulani every last Friday of the month to discuss. We dialogue a lot.
What is your take on the recent establishment of a cattle ranch in your domain by Governor Yahaya Bello?
It is a very good one. The entire community is involved in that project. It is done in partnership with the community. The Fulani, who are the end users, are the settlers along that route. However, its success depends on how it is handled. If it is handled properly, it will be a case study for other states. It is a very good project that can bring a lasting solution to the crisis between the herdsmen and farmers. What is your relationship with
other traditional rulers?
I have a very cordial relationship with other traditional rulers, including those in kingdoms outside the state. I just came in from Wukari, where we attended the 40th anniversary of the Aku Uka Wukari. We also have a good relationship in the council here. In fact, in brotherhood we stand.