By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Twentyfive corpses from the Thursday gunmen attack on Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi have been buried.
Chief David Akpa, District Head and Ochala Onu-Ife, Bagaji-Odo, who disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday at his palace in Bagaji-Odo described the attack as barbaric and wicked.
He said that the 25 slain members of the community buried on Saturday included 19 men, two women and four children.
Akpa who revealed that the Thursday attack by the “barbaric and wicked bandits” was the second in the year and condemned the way and manner mayhem was unleashed on his people.
“We are mourning our loved ones who were killed in cold blood. We have never had any misunderstanding either with bandits or with herdsmen before now.
“As it is now, we are living in fear, more so that we heard that they are coming to Bagaji-Odo, where the survivors are taking refuge.
“We are pleading with the Federal and state governments to come to our aid and protect us from the bandits’’, he pleaded.
A community member had alleged on Thursday 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.
“The community member who preferred anonymity said, “They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict,’’ he said.
The State Security Adviser, Navy Commodore Jerry Omodara (Retired), on Friday hinted that the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had ordered a thorough investigation of the conflict.
“The killing of innocent and harmless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable”, he said.
Omodara confirmed that property; especially houses, vehicles and crops were destroyed in the attack.
The Security Adviser however, called on people of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm as government and security agencies were on top of the situation.
Speaking in same vein, SP Williams Aya, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Kogi State Command also assured that security operatives had been drafted to the community to forestall possible resurgence of hostilities.
He said, “A tactical response team of the Police, the Military, and members of vigilance groups has been deployed to the area. Normalcy has since returned to the troubled community.” (Ends)