Twenty-five victims of an attack by bandits in Agojeju-Odo community, in the Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, have been buried.
The deceased, which included two women and four children who were killed by armed men last Thursday, were buried on Saturday.
The District Head, and Ochala Onu-Ife Bagaji Odo, Omala, Chief David Akpa, described the attack as barbaric and wicked given the way the bandits unleashed mayhem on his people.
“We are mourning our loved ones who were killed in cold blood. We have never had any misunderstanding either with bandits or with herdsmen before now.
“As it is now, we are living in fear, more so that we heard that they are coming to Bagaji Odo, where surviving victims are taking refuge. “We are pleading with the federal and state governments to come to our aid and protect us from bandits,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted him as saying.
Akpa further disclosed that the attack was the second in 2024 and had created fear among the residents.
A community member had alleged last Thursday that a running battle between armed groups in parts of Benue State and some bandits led to the onslaught on Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji, and environs.
“They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict,’’ he said.
Special Adviser on Security to Governor Usman Ododo, Commodore Jerry Omodara (retd.), said last Friday that the governor had ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.
