Gunmen invade Kogi community, raid houses, kill scores

Suspected Fulani gunmen attacked Agojeju-Odo, a hamlet in Omala Local Government Council in Kogi East Senatorial District, killing dozens early Friday morning.

National Daily Newspaper gathered that the fully armed marauders encircled the hamlet and began fire, killing and destroying houses.

A community leader, who escaped by the whiskers but asked to remain unnamed, spoke with our correspondent and said they were taken off guard.

He reported that 27 bodies had been retrieved as of the time of making this report and that some local vigilantes had ventured into the jungle in search of missing people.

He stated that rumors of an invasion had been circulating for the last three weeks, which were brought to the notice of the newly appointed Local Government Council Caretaker Chairman, Mark Edibo, but they were guaranteed safety and security.

He said: “There was a misunderstanding between a young man in Agojeju-Odo with a Fulani herder on his farm after cattle ate up his yam tubers which resulted in a fight; the caretaker chairman intervened.

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“Since then, the herders vowed that they will mobilize and get back and there has been apprehension,” the source said.

Speaking with Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, he acknowledged the attack but stated that the Commissioner of Police dispatched a tactical unit to the location to restore order.

According to him, the tactical unit, which includes Mobile Police, Soldiers, and Vigilante guys, was summoned in response to a distress call and is now on the ground.