Panic As Herdsmen Kill Three In Kogi Community

Bandits suspected to be herdsmen struck Sunday evening, at about 8.pm, invaded the quiet Bagaji-Odoh community in Omala local government area of Kogi state killing three persons, and injuring others.

Eyewitness account said, as soon as the gunmen entered the village through Bagana axis of the community, they started shooting indiscriminately.

The names of those who were killed were given as Mrs Lydia Umoru, Mr. Andrew Onuche and Mrs Esther.

The eye witness said on hearing the strange gun shots, many residents, including women and children ran into nearby buses and neighbouring communities and took cover.

Another source said the herdsmen were accusing the villagers of harbouring some people from Benue State axis believed to have killed their cattle in recent past.

“So in order to fish out the suspected cattle killers, these Fulani herdsmen invaded our village, and started shooting at our people”. The source added.

It was gathered that as at 10.pm on Sunday, soldiers were drafted from Abejukolo-Ife, the local government headquarters to the area.

However, those who took refuge in the bush earlier on Sunday began to return home by Monday morning, on hearing that soldiers were already on surveillance in the community.

When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer said the police have swung into action as they were on the trail of the bandits.