Kogiflame.com
Ogga community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State was allegedly attacked by some suspected Fulani herdsmen killing one person.
According to information reaching our correspondent, a farmer, Mr Ariyo Aina, 35, was allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen on his way to the farm on May 18.
According to the National President of Ogga Progressive Union (OPU), Mr. Bamidele Olure, while speaking with newsmen on phone on Monday in Lokoja, Aina was murdered on his way to farm at about 9am on Saturday, May 18.
He said that Aina left home for farm at about 9am on Saturday, but his slain body was found by other farmers who were going to the their farms thereafter.
”There were several machete cuts on his head and body and we believe it is the handiwork of fulani herdsmen, because they are know for such record of killings in the area.
”History has it that Aina has had several altercations with fulani herdsmen in his farm over the destruction of his crops by their cattle.
”The deceased had reported the matter to the police up to eleven times, but police had insisted that Aina should provide an evidence to show that his farm destruction was done by cattle.
”However, last year, Aina was a ble to capture one of the cattle (calf) at his farm and brought it to the police station as evidence.
”That was when the police arrested the fulani herdsmen and they were made to pay compensation to the late Aina.
”Apart from eating and destroying his planted crops by cattle, Aina had also accused the fulani herdsmen of destroying his yam barn and cut the yams into pieces for their cattle to eat.
”We are appealing to the police to investigate the matter and ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” Olure said.
The OPU president further said that the government had on Sunday deployed soldiers and policemen to the community to ensure safety.
He appealed to the police authority to deploy policemen permanently to man the abandoned police post in Ogga, which had been renovated by the community.
He said that the community through self effort had provided a police post, but was abandoned by the police on the excuse of ‘no manpower’ to be stationed at the post.
“We, therefore, need police and security defence officers to be permanently on ground in the community because we have made the necessary facilities available,” Olure said.
According to Anya, somebody came and lodged a complain at the station that Ariyo Aina was attacked and killed when he was on his way to the farm by unknown person.
”When the police got the information, they immediately commenced an investigation on the matter and a suspect has been arrested,” Anya said.
Anya added that the Commissioner of Police had deployed special forces to the area aimed at arresting the culprits, and ordered for investigation into the matter.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. William Aya, confirmed the incident but said the case was reported at the Police division in Odo-Ere on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book, and assured that his government would do everything possible to put an end to the ugly trend.
Bello, in a statement by his Director General of Media and Publicity, Mr Kingsley Fanwo on Monday restated that the lives of every citizen and inhabitant of Kogi was very important to him, hence the heavy investment to ensure adequate security.
He reiterated that those who disturb the peace of the state would be brought to justice.
“Human life is sacrosanct; the life of every Kogite is important to us. We take staunch exceptions to criminals who terrorise the lives of our people. ‘Those who killed Aina will face justice.
”My Administration will roll out some policies in the coming days to mitigate possible future occurrence,” the governor said.
Bello urged members of the public to help security agencies with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the criminals while appealing to the people not to take laws into their hands.
He commiserated with the family members of the slained Aina and the people of Ogga, and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
