Gunmen have launched a deadly attack on two communities, Agojeju Odo and Abejukolo, situated in the Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 19 lives and the destruction of numerous homes.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to reporters in Lokoja on Friday, the assault occurred on Thursday when the gunmen, reportedly motivated by a desire for reprisal, descended upon the unsuspecting communities, wreaking havoc and causing significant devastation.
The assailants, allegedly engaged in a conflict with Agatu militia in neighboring Benue State, expanded their violent campaign to include Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji, and surrounding areas, devastating farmlands and other property.
One local resident, mourning the loss of his wife and children, recounted how the attackers accused the community of collusion with the Agatus, prompting the ruthless onslaught.
Expressing desperation for assistance, another local resident urged Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and security agencies to intervene, emphasizing the urgent need for additional security personnel in the area, as local law enforcement officers had been overwhelmed by the invaders.
Confirming the tragic incident, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, disclosed that 19 individuals lost their lives during the communal clashes on Thursday. He further assured that the state police command, along with the counter-terrorism unit and the Army, swiftly mobilized to restore peace and order in the affected communities.
Aya affirmed that a coordinated effort involving multiple security agencies had been initiated to quell the violence, and as of his statement, tranquility had been reinstated in the area.
