Over 150 suspected armed herdsmen have attacked Agojeju-odo in Bagaji-Odoh District of Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing four persons. The lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Yahaya disclosed this on Wednesday in Lokoja shortly after submitting a report on the attack to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo.
Yahaya, who condemned the incident, described the recent attack in his constituency as one too many. According to the lawmaker, "At about 3:30 pm on Tuesday, the 30th of January 2024, the peaceful community of Agojeju-odo in Bagaji-Odoh District of Omala LGA was attacked by Fulani herdsmen numbering over 150.
"The militant herdsmen took the village by surprise and were shooting sporadically as they invaded the village in a broad daylight through the eastern part of the town. "During the attack, a sick woman who was on admission in a local private clinic (St. Peter Clinic) was slaughtered. Two men namely: Mr. Attai John Idagboyi and one Mr. Daniel Shuaibu were also gruesomely murdered.
"The remains of a man was also found butchered in the bush, bringing the total number of the dead to four. That's one woman and three men. "They came in through Bagana in Omala LGA which borders the Agatu area of Benue and Umasha community in Nasarawa States. "The Bagana community has been under attack for a long period now and some of our people have not been able to return home for many years now due to the incessant attacks by these Fulani herdsmen militants."
He requested the governor's support in directing the State Commissioner of Police and other heads of Security Agencies to be deployed to provide armed security personnel to the affected area. Continuing, Yahaya said, "The presence of military or armed personnel will scare the militants away pending further long term measures to prevent reoccurrence or possible solutions."
He also appealed to the governor to direct the State Emergency Agency to provide relief materials to the victims in Bagana and Agojeju-Odo.
Insecurity should not be allowed to continue - Peter Obi tells Nigerian Govt
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, on Wednesday said that the level of insecurity in the country should not be allowed to continue. This is even as he told the government to evolve more serious and innovative strategies in tackling insecurity in the country. Obi's reaction followed the abduction of passengers who were traveling to Abuja in mass transit buses, along Kogi State.
In a post on his X handle, the former Anambra State governor said, "As insecurity, banditry and kidnapping continue to spread unchecked in the country, I am yet greatly saddened by the reports of the kidnapping of some passengers who were traveling to Abuja in public transportation buses.
"These brothers and sisters were reportedly kidnapped in Kogi State, yesterday, on their way to Abuja. The security of lives and property remains a high governance priority which must be given the urgent attention it deserves, by the government and relevant agencies.
"I appeal to the people unleashing these waves of terror on the nation to have a change of heart and abandon such criminal acts. Our thoughts are with the families of the kidnapped victims, as we unite in efforts towards their safe release and better security for our country.
"This level of insecurity must not continue to be tolerated in our nation now or in the future. Government must evolve more serious and innovative strategies for dealing with this climate of insecurity.
"When widespread insecurity is added to the hunger and deepening poverty ravaging our country, the plight of the nation becomes even more precarious."
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