Date: 2017-05-12

More facts emerged last night on reasons the signpost erected in Shao dissociating Moro Local Government from the emirate was yet to be removed, few months after its erection.

The non-removal of the signpost, it was gathered, had raised concerns with accusing fingers pointed at some people in "high authority" of having interest in the matter despite the alleged security threat.

The issue generated disquiet within the community, government and traditional circles in the state following differing commentaries from various leaders. But National Pilot gathered, last night, that the fear of an alleged voodoo (juju) said to have been invoked upon anybody that attempt to remove it was responsible for the reluctance displayed towards the issue.

It was gathered that a meeting was held with the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Mr Amusa Bello over the matter and a similar one with the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu Woru Muhammed few weeks back.

Speaking on the issue, last night, the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairman of Moro, Garuba Alikinla confirmed the development, adding that everything is being done to neutralise the potency of the alleged charm and remove the signpost.

"We would have removed the signpost ever since because our findings have shown that majority of the people are with the emirate on this issue except for few agitators.

"However, we learnt that the signpost was erected with the invocation of charm (Juju) and that whoever attempted to remove it will die. We have been warned about the potency of the charm.

"We also gathered that 24 hours surveillance is being mounted around it by four persons daily, two will guard it from morning till around 6pm while another set of persons will take over from them and keep watch till the morning.

"But we have held meetings at the Government House and we went to the traditional ruler in Moro. We also visited the Magaji Nda of Ilorin over the issue. It will be removed very soon, I can assure you, we are working towards that now," he added.

When contacted, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Amusa Bello, declined comment adding that "I am not in town". Also, a text message sent to one of the frontliners in the agitation, Elder Wole Oke, who is also an elder in Shao, was yet to be replied as at the time of filing this report.