Gunmen have killed 19 persons and injured several others at Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, following alleged running battle between militia groups in parts of Benue and some bandits.
Penpushing reports that a member of the community said the running battle led to the onslaught on the sleepy towns of Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji and environs, adding that in the process the bandits destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict
The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Usman Ododo, Jerry Omodara, confirmed the incident on Friday, explaining that the Governor had ordered a thorough investigation of the incident, pointing out that the killing of the armless residents was callous, unacceptable and condemnable.
‘The killing of 19 innocent and armless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable. The area is now calm, however, following the deployment of security operatives, who are keeping vigil there,’’ he said.
Penpushing further reports that Omodara disclosed that property, especially houses, vehicles, and crops, were destroyed in the attack, and appealed to residents of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm as government and security agencies were on top of the situation.
The Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer Williams Ovye-Aya, when contacted confirmed the attack and 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’, he said.
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