April 3, 2023

Scores have been feared killed after gunmen on Sunday invaded communities in Oganenigu Ward of Dekina Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.

Authorities suspect that the assailants were herdsmen.

Channels Television reports that sources say the invaders stormed the communities shooting sporadically, and burning hundreds of houses in the early morning raid.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Oganenigu Ward chairman, James Adah, was among those killed in the attack.

Many residents are said to have fled the communities in the wake of the assault even as it remains unclear what the reason behind the invasion was.

Though the Police Command in the state is yet to issue any official statement, the government has been reacting to the disturbing development.

In a statement on Monday, Governor Yahaya Bello called for calm over the attacks, describing the “vile and satanic attack as a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Oganenigu who have enjoyed relative peace and security for years”.

Governor Bello said his administration will continue to face out crisis entrepreneurs from the state and ensure that those involved shall be brought to book under the laws.

The Kogi State Governor assured that his administration is committed to using resources to hunt down criminals and make them pay for their crimes.

Governor Bello described the unexpected development as shocking while assuring that his administration will commit every available resource to hunt down the criminal actors and make them pay stating that the government will never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in its resolves to rid the state of criminals.

He commiserated with the people in Oganenigu, particularly the family of the slain Oganenigu APC ward chairman, Hon James Adah and others affected by this ugly and unfortunate attack while urging the people to remain calm.

The governor, however, advised the people not to take laws into their hands as security agencies have been swiftly mobilised and deployed to the troubled areas to restore normalcy.