Several security personnel were drafted to Agojeju-Odo, community and environs in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State late Thursday after bandits killed 19 persons , injured many others.
Kogi State Police Command spokesman SP Williams Ovye-Aya, who confirmed the attack and said that security operatives were deployed to the area and they are keeping vigil over the community to forestall further attacks.
“A tactical response team of the police, the military, and members of vigilance groups have being deployed in the area and normalcy has returned to the troubled community.
“Investigation into the incident has started and that the perpetrators would be brought to book,’’ Ovye-Aya assured
A community member 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.
“They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict,’’ he said.
Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Usman Ododo confirmed the incident on Friday when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.
He said the governor had ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.
“The killing of 19 innocent and armless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable.
He said the area is now calm, however, following “the deployment of security operatives, who are keeping vigil there,’’ he said.
Omodara said property; especially houses, vehicles, and crops were destroyed in the attack.
He called on people of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm as government and security agencies were on top of the situation.