
In a tragic incident, four individuals lost their lives as armed gunmen, suspected to be militia herdsmen, launched an attack on Agojeju-odo in Bagaji-Odoh district, Omala local government area of Kogi state.
The assailants, numbering over 150, descended upon the peaceful community on Tuesday, unleashing violence and chaos. The lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Yahaya, condemned the attack as yet another instance of senseless violence plaguing the region.
According to Hon. Yahaya, the attack occurred around 3:30 pm on January 30, 2024, catching the residents off guard. The armed militia, wielding sophisticated weaponry, stormed the village, firing indiscriminately as they advanced from the eastern part of the town.
Tragically, the attackers claimed the lives of four individuals. Among the victims were a sick woman who was receiving treatment at a local private clinic (St. Peter Clinic) was slaughtered, as well as two men identified as Mr. Attai John Idagboyi and Mr. Daniel Shuaibu. Additionally, the remains of another man were discovered in the bush butchered, bringing the total death toll to four, comprising one woman and three men.
The assailants reportedly entered the community through Bagana in Omala LGA, which shares borders with the Agatu area of Benue and Umasha community in Nasarawa States. Bagana has been a frequent target of attacks, leading to prolonged displacement for some residents.
In response to the incident, Hon. Yahaya urged the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, to deploy armed security personnel to the affected area, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention to prevent further bloodshed. He also called for support from the State Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to the victims in Bagana and Agojeju-Odo.
While efforts are underway to restore peace and security in Omala Local Government of Kogi State, Hon. Yahaya appealed for calm and assured the public of ongoing collaboration with relevant authorities to achieve lasting solutions to the recurrent violence.