Gunmen have killed many people including the Ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), James Adah, and burnt hundreds of houses during an attack on Aloko, a community in Oganenigu Ward of Dekina Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.
It was gathered that the gunmen in their hundreds attacked the community in the early hours of Sunday from a base in the neighbouring Bassa LGA.
The Oganenigu Ward chairman of the ruling APC, James Adah, is said to be among those killed in the attack.
According to Daily Trust, residents said that the invading militia started shooting anyone in sight and set houses ablaze on arrival.
Locals said that a detachment of the Nigerian Army from Oguma Army Base in Bassa came after the marauders had left.
A resident, Richard Adejo said, “There’s a humanitarian crises on our hands. Most of our people have run to Iyale, Ikpakpala, Odolu and host of others to take refuge, while others that have no place to go are stranded on the Abejukollo-Anyigba Road.”
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Aya, is yet to comment on the attack and he could not be reached as his line was not reachable, Daily Trust reports.
Meanwhile, Governor Yahaya Bello has called for calm over the attacks, describing “the vile and satanic attack as a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Oganenigu who have enjoyed relative peace and security for years.
“My administration will continue to face out crisis entrepreneurs from the state and ensure that those involved shall be brought to book under the laws.”
Bello assured of his administration commit resources to hunt down the criminals and make them pay for their crimes.
He added that “the government will never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in its resolves to rid the state of criminals.”