The community after the deadly attack
Photo credit:Kogi Reports.
,,,,,Kogi govt.orders thorough investigation.
,,,,,Deploys military, police, vigilante tactical response team.
By correspondent in Lokoja.
The people of Agojeju-Odo, a community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, north central Nigeria,attacked by yet to be identified gunmen recently,have buried 25 victims of their loved who paid supreme price during the deadly attack
The District head of the community, Mr.David Akpa, disclosed the sad news to journalists in his palace.
Akpa,who is also the Ochala Onu-Ife Bagaji Odo, said the victims ,committed to mother earth, include two women and four children .
He described the attack as barbaric and wicked, by virtue of the manner the bandits unleashed mayhem on his people.
Mr Akpa explained that the Thursday’s attack was the second in the year,adding that it had sent serious fears into residents.
“We are mourning our loved ones killed in cold blood. “We have never had any misunderstanding either with bandits or with herdsmen before now.
“As it is now, we are living in fear, more so that we heard that they are coming to Bagaji Odo, where surviving victims are taking refuge.
“We are pleading with the federal and state governments to come to our aid and protect us from further attack by bandits,’’ he pleaded.
A community member had alleged, on Thursday, that a running battle between militia groups in parts of Benue and some bandits led to the onslaught on the sleepy towns of Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji and the environs.
“They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict,’’ he said.
But Jerry Omodara, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Usman Ododo said that the governor had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The killing of innocent and harmless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable,’’ he said.
Omodara said property; especially houses, vehicles, and crops were destroyed in the attack.
He called on people of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm, assuring them that government and security agencies were on top of the situation.
Omodara’s assurance was followed by that of the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the Police Command in the state,SP Williams Ovye Aya, who also assured that security operatives were keeping vigil over the community to forestall further attacks.
“A tactical response team of the police, the military, and members of vigilance groups has been deployed in the area. “Normalcy has since returned to the troubled community.
“Investigation into the incident has started,to bring the perpetrators to book,’’ Ovye-Aya assured.
Meanwhile, displaced people of the community have pleaded with the federal and state governments to assist them to return home after Thursday’s bandits attack.
They made the appeal while speaking with journalists who visited them at Bagaji-Odo community on Saturday on the spot assessment of the damage done to the community.
Mrs Patience Akauwu, a 67-year old woman, said that life had become tough and hard for them, having lost their farm produce to the attackers.
In similar development,the Omala Women Forum have vehemently denounced the unwarranted assault on the community.
They condemned in strong terms, wanton, indiscriminate slaying of innocent indigenes and the ruthless destruction of properties in Agojeju-Odo, by those they described as rampaging herders.
Chief Hon. Alima G Abuh
Iye Ebulejonu Of Igala Kingdom
(Forum Leader) for the women ,in a statement,described the incident as senseless rampage that has led to the tragic death of several persons and the decimation of properties worth millions of naira.
“We unequivocally condemn this abhorrent display of notoriety and demand that the perpetrators be apprehended and subjected to the full force of the law.
“We have zero tolerance for those who flagrantly disregard human dignity and the basic tenets of peaceful coexistence.”
“We call upon the government to urgently undertake a comprehensive on-site assessment of the scale of killings and destruction of properties carried out by these assailants, which we believe is ongoing, with a view to providing urgent relief to the victims.”
‘We have mobilized our members across the 11 wards of the local government area to undertake a 3-day period of fasting and prayers for our land.
“We are confident that the deities of our ancestral lands, as well as the Almighty God we collectively worship will heed our fervent supplications during this time of mourning and grief”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones. We pray that our fallen heroes and heroines be granted eternal rest. “May the Almighty and the deities of our ancestral lands provide comfort and solace to those mourning the devastating loss of their cherished family members and community members.
“We stand in solidarity with all those affected by this senseless tragedy,” he said.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
