In the early hours of Friday morning, suspected Fulani gunmen launched a violent attack on Agojeju-Odo, a community situated in Omala Local Government Council within the Kogi East Senatorial District, resulting in multiple casualties.
Reports indicate that the assailants, heavily armed, besieged the community and indiscriminately opened fire, resulting in fatalities and the destruction of homes.
A community leader, who narrowly escaped the attack and requested anonymity, spoke with our correspondent, describing the surprise and unpreparedness of the residents.
According to the leader, 27 bodies have been recovered at the time of reporting, while local vigilante groups have initiated search operations in the surrounding bush areas to locate missing individuals.
He further revealed that concerns about a potential invasion had been circulating for the past three weeks, prompting residents to bring the matter to the attention of the recently appointed Local Government Council Caretaker Chairman, Mark Edibo. Despite assurances of safety and protection, the tragic attack unfolded, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
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.
“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 confirmed the attack but said the Commissioner of Police immediately drafted the tactical squad to the scene to restore normalcy.
According to him, the tactical squad which comprises Mobile Police, Soldiers and Vigilante men was drafted after a distress call and they are currently on the ground.
The Police Spokesman could not confirm the figure of dead persons, but he promised to get back after speaking with the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Omala Local Government Council.
“As for the figure of dead persons, I can’t confirm now. I will call you after I have spoken with the DPO in charge of Omala, but I know that so many people sustained gunshot injuries,” he said.
