A vengeful attack on three communities in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area, Kogi State, resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals.
Residents of Abugi, Kuchinda, and Mikugi were allegedly attacked on Thursday by unidentified gunmen.
The killings were verified by the Kogi State Government, which also directed security forces to apprehend the perpetrators of the initial herder murder and the subsequent retaliatory assault.
An unarmed herder was allegedly killed by a local vigilante group member who suspected him of rustling cattle, which is said to have set off the incident.
At least five people were killed and tensions in the area increased when armed individuals targeted the residents of the three towns in a retaliatory attack that followed the killing.
The state government called the killings “tragic, senseless, and unacceptable” in a statement released on Friday by Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications.
According to Fanwo, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has instructed security forces to seize control of the impacted areas right away, bring about peace, and stop the situation from getting worse.
According to him, the governor also issued an order for the arrest of the vigilante member who was reportedly responsible for the herder’s death as well as anyone connected to the retaliatory attack, including the commander of the Hybrid Vigilante Group who may have been involved in its planning.
“The killing of the unarmed herder and the ensuing retaliatory attack are strongly condemned by the Kogi State Government. These are illegal behaviors that are not acceptable in our culture. Regardless of status or ethnicity, anyone discovered to have taken part in either incident will be subject to the full force of the law.
Fanwo urged locals to help security forces with reliable information while pleading with them to maintain composure and prevent additional retaliation.
We urge every resident to maintain composure and resist the urge to exact revenge. Additionally, we call on the public to assist security authorities by supplying reliable information that will support ongoing investigations and the apprehension of all individuals involved,” he stated.
The commissioner stated that in order to bring peace and reestablish trust among the people living in the impacted communities, the government was collaborating with security services, traditional leaders, community leaders, and other relevant parties.
He reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to safeguarding citizens and making sure the perpetrators of the violence are held accountable.
