Herdsmen behind attack on Kogi community—traditional ruler

The district head and traditional ruler of Bagaji Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, HRH David Akpa, says herdsmen were behind the attack in Agojeju-Odo community, which claimed 25 people.

The attack reportedly occurred on Thursday.

The monarch, who spoke on Saturday, said the community has been completely deserted.

According to him, residents of the community have relocated to Bagaji Odo, Abejikolo, Acha and other neighboring communities over fear of further attacks.

“The herdsmen are behind the attack at Agojeju-Odo community which led to the death of 25 people. They came in their numbers and started killing people.

“They have been harvesting our crops, preventing our people from having access to their farms. Whenever they come, they will be asking ‘are you from Agatu?’ and many more questions,” the traditional ruler said.

He called on the government to provide security for his people.

“The government should come to our rescue before things get out of hand. Our people are being killed by these herdsmen.

“Those that have relocated to Bagaji Odo and are thinking of relocating out of here because there is information that these herdsmen are coming here to attack.”

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One of the survivors of the attack, who gave his name as Joshua Salifu, narrated what happened.

“The herdsmen came at about 3:00 am on Thursday and started killing our people. I am yet to find my wife and my children. About 25 people were buried in our village.

“We don’t know what our problem is with them. This is not the first time they are attacking us. They killed four of our people the last time before Thursday’s incident. We could no longer go to our farms and the rainy reason is fast approaching. What are we going to do?

“The government should help us with adequate security so that we can go back to our community,” he stated.

It would be recalled that earlier in January 2024, yet to be identified gunmen attacked Agojeju-Odo community, killing four people.