Two communities, Agojeju Odo and Abejukolo, located in the Omala local government area of Kogi State, have been attacked by suspected herdsmen.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the attack, which occurred on Thursday, resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people, with an unknown number of homes being set ablaze.
According to reports, the bandits allegedly launched a “reprisal attack” on the communities, with residents caught in the crossfire.
The assailants, who were reportedly engaged in conflict with Agatu militia in neighbouring Benue State, extended their aggression to Agojeju Odo and surrounding areas, destroying farmlands and property.
Locals, who spoke anonymously, lamented the lack of adequate security presence in the area, urging Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and security agencies to intervene promptly.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Aya, stated that security forces have been mobilized to restore calm to the affected communities.
“As soon as we got wind of the incident, the Commissioner of Police mobilized all units, including the counter-terrorism unit and army, to the area to restore normalcy,” SP Aya told Punch.
