At least five persons have been confirmed dead following a violent reprisal attack on three communities in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The affected communities Abugi, Kuchinda, and Mikugi.came under attack by unidentified gunmen on Thursday, leaving residents in fear and escalating tensions across the area.
According to reports, the incident was triggered by the earlier killing of an unarmed herder, allegedly by a member of a local vigilante group who suspected him of cattle rustling. The situation quickly spiraled into a reprisal attack, with armed assailants targeting innocent residents.
The Kogi State Government has strongly condemned both the initial killing and the subsequent retaliatory violence, describing the incidents as “tragic, senseless, and unacceptable.”
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In an official statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed security agencies to take immediate control of the affected communities, restore peace, and prevent further escalation.
The governor also ordered the arrest of all individuals linked to the incidents, including the vigilante member accused of killing the herder and those suspected to have coordinated the reprisal attack.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid further acts of violence, while encouraging them to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to aid ongoing investigations.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring that all perpetrators will be brought to justice.
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