Gunmen attack Kogi community, murder 19, raze properties

By Innocent Raphael

Unknown gunmen have invaded the Agojeju Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing nineteen (19) people and setting many houses on fire.

State Police Public Relation Officer, William Aya, confirming reports on Friday, disclosed the incident happened on Thursday.

Aya revealed that the Divisional Police Office (DPO) of the local government informed him that 19 people were killed with many others escaping with various degrees of injuries during the attack.

According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Bethrand Onuoha, had in response to the incident, deployed more policemen to the communities, assuring that the perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to book.

Relieving events during the attack, locals have said the gunmen attacked the sleepy town of Agojeju Odo, while neighbouring communities like Ajokpachi Odo and Bagaji, all in the same LGA were presently deserted.

The mourning communities further appealed to Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, and relevant stakeholders to ensure the deployment of adequate security personnel to the area, decrying that the police in the LGA appear overwhelmed by the wave of attacks.