MANY people were feared killed on Thursday after armed men reportedly attacked three communities in Kupa Kingdom—Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi—in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State in what has been described as a reprisal attack.
News Point Nigeria reports that the attack allegedly followed the killing of a herder, suspected to be a cattle rustler, during a confrontation with local vigilantes at a security checkpoint in the community earlier on Thursday.
Residents said the violence began at about 8:00 a.m. when the herder was shot dead during a heated altercation with the vigilantes stationed at the checkpoint.
According to residents, a few hours after the incident, heavily armed hoodlums invaded the affected communities, opening fire indiscriminately from different directions.
“Few hours after the checkpoint incident between a herder and vigilantes, armed hoodlums invaded the town, shooting sporadically from different directions.
“In the process, several residents were killed, with many others sustaining injuries, as the armed hoodlums attacked streets, markets and even the palace of our paramount traditional ruler in the town.
“As of yesterday night, seven people were confirmed dead. The death toll may rise in the days ahead as the search for and confirmation of victims is still in progress.
“Moreover, the situation will become clearer when families who sought refuge in safer communities start returning from their various hiding places,” Ahmed, a resident of Abugi, said.
Among those confirmed killed in the attack was Prince Aliyu Isah Kabir, a son of the Mayaki of Kupa and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader for Kupa South Ward.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, said the attack on the Kupa communities resulted in the loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.
Adamu disclosed that the local government had directed relevant security agencies to immediately track down those responsible for the attack and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
“We have charged the relevant security agencies to swing into action and arrest anyone who has a hand, directly or remotely, in the attack and bring them to face the law.
“The government is saddened by this devilish act and will leave no stone unturned in getting justice for the deceased. I want to appeal for calm while the relevant security agencies take action,” he said.
The Kogi State Government also condemned the attack, describing it as tragic, senseless and unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Friday, the state government described the incident as a reprisal attack and vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding it, identify all those responsible and prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others.
The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, condemned both the killing of the unarmed herder and the retaliatory attack on the affected communities.
“The Kogi State Government condemns in the strongest terms both the killing of the unarmed herder and the subsequent reprisal attack.
“These are criminal acts that have no place in our society. Anyone found to have participated in either incident, regardless of status or ethnic affiliation, will face the full weight of the law.
“We appeal to all residents to remain calm and resist the temptation of reprisals. We also urge members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that will aid ongoing investigations and the arrest of all those responsible,” the statement said.
According to the government, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives and directed security agencies to immediately restore peace, take full control of the affected communities and apprehend those responsible for the killings.
The government also appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid further retaliation and continue to provide credible information to security agencies as investigations into the incident continue.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain the reaction of the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to telephone calls or a text message as of the time of filing this report.