Insecurity: Armed bandits attack Kogi community, kill over 40, several others injured.
…..As Kogi Police Command on the trails of the perpetrators of the massacre.
IDRIS AHMED, Lokoja.
As Kogi State government is rejigging the Security architecture in its desire to combat insecurity, a gang of some suspected armed bandits, on Thursday, allegedly invaded Agojeju Odo community in Omala local government area of the State, killing over 40 persons.
Eye witnesses from the area stated that several persons were injured, while many others especially women and children are reported missing.
According to an eye witness, a civil servant, resident in Bagana, close to the scene of the incidence who wants to remain anonymous, revealed that Agatu militia from Benue state were alleged to have killed two Fulani herdsmen at Agojeju Odo, an Igala community.
He said that the Fulanis resident in the area mobilized for a reprisal and stormed Agojeju Odo village, shooting guns indiscriminately, killing over 40 persons including 6 local government staff and injuring several others.
It was gathered that the Igalas of Agojeju Odo had no any quarrel with the Fulanis, but the dumping of the Fulani headless corpse at the village, infuriated them to vent their anger on the innocent Igalas.
Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the killings giving the number of the dead as 17 as at Thursday evening.
The Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Kogi Command, SP William Ovie Aya, said consequent upon the reports from the affected area, the Commissioner of Police Bertrand Onuoha, has drafted special squad and other security agencies to quell the ugly situation.
SP Aya assured that the men of the command are already on the trails of the perpetrators of the massacre and would be apprehended to face justice.
The Police appealed to the people of the area to report any suspicious movements and strange persons to the nearest Security agencies and government officials.
It can be recalled that during the 2013 Agatu/ Fulani war in Benue state, the combatants (Agatu/Fulani) found their ways to Bagana in Omala local government area of Kogi State as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
According to residents of Bagana, the two warring groups have taken over social and economic activities of the area and as a result crippled the markets and established their authorities.
The Agatu militia are also alleged to be collecting taxes and market revenue for themselves, turning the area to the new battle field between them and the Fulanis.
A resident of Bagana, Ismaila Suleman, alleged that the Agatu militia has the backing of some Igala leaders,while the Fulanis are said to be taking refuge with in the
Hausa community in Bagana, the commercial nerve centre of Omala local government area.
He alleged that peace will continue to elude the place as long as the Agatu militia and Fulani herdsmen remain in Bagana.
Suleman therefore appealed to the Federal and Kogi State governments to come to the urgent aid of the people by a swift intervention to save lives and properties of the people.
