Four dead in Kogi after bandit raid triggers confrontation

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Four persons lost their lives on Wednesday when suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on Irunda Ile, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd), who confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja, said the bandits invaded the community in the early hours of Wednesday and killed two vigilantes who confronted them.

He added that it was unfortunate that some youths, who were expected to support security agencies, acted otherwise.

“Security men were drafted to Yagba to chase the bandits away. Even those bandits occupying our mine site have been neutralised by the security men.

“Kogi State Government will not allow any criminals in the state. We are working very hard to ensure that Kogi State is safe for everyone.

“Some days ago, a helicopter was deployed to those areas, and we recorded major success. The bandits were neutralised by the security men.

“We are not going to rest until we are able to neutralise the bandits completely,” Omodara stated.

Shortly after the attack, tension rose as youths in the area took to the streets to protest the repeated bandit assaults.

According to eyewitnesses, when security operatives arrived at the village, the youths confronted them and demanded that they enter the bush to pursue the bandits.

The situation escalated, leading to the death of another two persons, while others sustained injuries.

A community leader, the Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, Chief David Sunday, told our correspondent that two vigilantes were killed by the bandits.

He said when the police arrived, they were reluctant to pursue the attackers, which led to a confrontation with the youth.

“From there, they mistakenly killed two youths while others were hospitalised following the tear gas fired by the police.

“In all, four people were killed in our village this morning. Two vigilantes were killed by the bandits, and two other persons were mistakenly killed by the police,” he said.

Wednesday’s attack was the second in less than two weeks.

Last Friday, two travellers were abducted when their vehicle was attacked, while a third person escaped.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, also confirmed the abduction of the pastor of a Cherubim and Seraphim church and his wife during a church service in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.

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