The management of Dangote Cement Plc has reacted to the shutdown of its plant at Obajana by the Kogi State Government.

The company appealed to all its staff and customers to remain calm while it explores all possible legal steps to address the action by the government which it described as illegal.

The appeal is contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Michel Punchercos, in Lagos.

Punchercos maintained that the welfare of the company’s staff remained a key focus as the company worked hard to minimise the further impact on its people and operations.

Punchercos said the company had taken steps to get the hoodlums apprehended by law enforcement agencies and would ensure that full legal action was taken against them.

The statement reads, “The management of Dangote Cement Plc, wishes to inform members of the public, especially its customers and other stakeholders of the recent invasion of its Obajana Cement Plant, Kogi by armed vigilantes on the orders of the state government.

“The vigilantes, led by some officials of the state government were apparently acting on a resolution of the Kogi state House of Assembly on controversial tax claims.

“Claims that the state governor had also contradicted when he said the shutdown was due to an alleged invalid acquisition of the company by Dangote Industries Ltd.

“In the process of forcefully evicting the workers to enforce the shutdown, the vigilantes shot at 27 of our workers and also destroyed some of the company’s property at the plant.

“While we reiterate that Obajana Cement plant is 100 percent owned by Dangote Cement PLC, we remain resolute in transforming Africa, while creating sustainable value for our people, communities, investors, and customers.’’

It can be recalled that the Kogi government and Dangote company are in an ownership tussle over Obajana Cement Company