Kogiflame
Bagana community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi state was attacked on Thursday night by some bandits killing four persons, while two others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The attack occured at about 9pm at Ofeapo along Idrisu -Bagana Road in Omala Local Government Area of kogi state.
The victims who were mainly traders where traveling in a motorbike popular known as keke Napep at about 9pm when gunmen opened fire on them at a close range , killing four on the spot , while the two lucky survivors have been evaluated to nearby medical facility.
Members of the community have to take cover to avoid the bullets of the bandits who were about 10 in numbers according to an eyewitness account.
According to the source the bandits were fully armed as they targeted their victims returning to their various places after they had concluded business in the market.
According to the locals, those who were killed are two males and two females who are natives of Bagana but had to relocate to Abejukolo in the wake of the senseless killings in the Communities.
The locals lamented at the killing which they said, is one too many for a Community that has been under seize for more than a decade.
The local decried the barbaric actions of the assailants who shot and killed Mrs Zainabu Abdullahi in front of her six months old and shop off the head of another victim, as the lad mysteriously survived the attack.
They called on Governor Yahaya Bello to take over the security architecture in the community as efforts by his officials in the Local Government has not been able to stop the carnage.
While confirming the attack, the Kogi state Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP William Ayah, said at about 9pm on Thursday night some armed robbers attacked marketers returning from Bagana market.
He said one person a commercial tricylce rider was killed on the spot while two other passengers sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.
He noted that the Commissioner of Police has deployed team of tactical operatives to the area to restore normalcy. While investigation is on with a view to trail the hoodlums and bring them to book
Meanwhile, paramount ruler of Omala Local Government Area Traditional council, HRH Boniface Musa, the Ojogba of Ife condemned the dastardly act and pray to God to give the family of the victims fortitude to bear the loss.
He decried the incessant attacks on the Bagana people by unknown gunmen, lamenting that this killing has taken the peace process aback, at a time where all hands have been on deck for safe return of the Internally displaced persons IDP to their homes.
He appealed to the state Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to as matter of urgency wade into the lingering Bagana crisis that has killed tens of people and rendered many homeless.
While urging him to implement the recommendations of the Col. Suleiman Babanawa rtd led committee , called for the deployment of the security agencies to Bagana town to forestall further bloodshed in the Communities.
Recall, that the Attah Igala HRM Matthew Alaji Opaluwa had given directives to the belligerents to lay down their arms and embrace peace or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
However, with the assurances of of his Royal Majesty of the workable peace process , submission of the Committee Reports in the past weeks, and the assurance by the Chairman of the Council, Ibrahim Aboh to guarrantee security for the people, that the market was opened before the ugly incident.
