Early Friday morning, residents of Agojeju-Odo, a community in Omala Local Government Council in Kogi East Senatorial District, were met with a horrific sight as suspected Fulani gunmen launched a deadly assault.
Reports indicate that the attackers, armed to the teeth, descended upon the community, unleashing a barrage of gunfire and setting houses ablaze.
According to information gathered, the assailants surrounded Agojeju-Odo before launching their attack, leaving devastation in their wake. A community leader, speaking anonymously, revealed the grim toll of the assault, stating that at least 27 corpses have been recovered at the time of reporting. Local vigilante groups have been mobilized to search for missing persons in the aftermath of the brutal incursion.
The roots of the tragedy trace back to a simmering dispute between a young man from Agojeju-Odo and a Fulani herder. A conflict arose when the herder's cattle allegedly destroyed the young man's yam tubers, leading to a physical altercation. Despite intervention from the Local Government Council Caretaker Chairman, Mark Edibo, tensions persisted, with the herders allegedly vowing retaliation.
SP William Ovye Aya, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the attack, underscoring the swift response of law enforcement authorities. Upon receiving a distress call, the Commissioner of Police mobilized a tactical squad comprising Mobile Police, Soldiers, and Vigilante groups to restore order to the beleaguered community. However, details regarding the exact number of casualties remain unconfirmed as investigations continue.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the volatile security situation in parts of the country, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address communal tensions and safeguard vulnerable communities. As authorities work to quell the immediate aftermath of the attack, questions linger regarding the broader implications and long-term solutions to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
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