Four people were confirmed dead on Wednesday after armed men believed to be bandits raided Irunda Ile in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), told journalists in Lokoja that the gunmen stormed the community in the early hours of the day. Two members of the local vigilante group who attempted to resist the attackers were killed.
Omodara expressed disappointment that some youths in the area acted in ways that did not support ongoing security operations.
He noted that security personnel had already been deployed to the Yagba axis to pursue the gunmen and that criminals previously occupying a mining site in the area had been taken out.
“The Kogi State Government will not tolerate criminal activity in any part of the state. We are doing everything possible to keep Kogi safe. A helicopter was recently deployed to the area and we achieved significant success. We will not relent until these bandits are completely neutralised,” he said.
“Shortly after the attack, youths in the community staged a protest over the frequent bandit raids. According to eyewitnesses, tension rose when security operatives arrived and the youths insisted they immediately move into the bush to chase the attackers. The confrontation escalated, leading to the death of two more people and injuries to others.
“The Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, Chief David Sunday, told reporters that while the bandits killed two vigilantes, police officers who arrived later were hesitant to pursue the attackers, which sparked a clash with the youth.
“In the confusion, police mistakenly killed two youths. Others are receiving treatment after being affected by tear gas. Altogether, four people died two vigilantes killed by the bandits and two youths accidentally killed by the police,” he explained.
“Wednesday’s assault was the second attack within 10 days. Just last Friday, two travellers were kidnapped in the same area after their vehicle was ambushed, while a third passenger managed to escape.
“Additionally, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that a pastor of a Cherubim and Seraphim church and his wife were also abducted during a service in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA.
