April 5, (THEWILL)- At least 19 persons have been confirmed killed and several others injured by bandits, who attacked the Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi, on Thursday.
Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, Special Adviser on Security to Gov Usman Ododo, who confirmed the incident on Friday, said property including houses, vehicles and crops were destroyed in the attack.
He said the governor had ordered a thorough investigation of the attack.
“The killing of 19 innocent and armless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable. The area is now calm, however, following the deployment of security operatives, who are keeping vigil there”, he said.
Omodara called on the people of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm as government and security agencies were on top of the situation.
A community member alleged that a running battle between militia groups in parts of Benue and some bandits led to the onslaught on the sleepy towns of Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji and environs.
“They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict”, he said.
The Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said security operatives were keeping vigil over the community to forestall further attacks.
“A tactical response team of the police, the military and members of vigilance groups has been deployed in the area. Normalcy has since returned to the troubled community. Investigation into the incident has started to bring the perpetrators to book”, Ovye-Aya assured.
