HRH David Akpa, the district head and traditional ruler of Bagaji Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, has stated that herdsmen were responsible for the attack in Agojeju-Odo community, resulting in the loss of 25 lives.
The attack reportedly occurred on Thursday.
The monarch, while speaking to DAILY POST on Saturday, said the community has been completely deserted.
According to him, residents of the community have relocated to Bagaji Odo, Abejikolo, Acha and other neighboring communities over fear of further attacks.
“The herdsmen are behind the attack at Agojeju-Odo community which led to the death of 25 people. They came in their numbers and started killing people.
“They have been harvesting our crops, preventing our people from having access to their farms. Whenever they come, they will be asking ‘are you from Agatu?’ and many more questions,” the traditional ruler said.
He called on the government to provide security for his people.
“The government should come to our rescue before things gets out of hand. Our people are being killed by this herdsmen.
“Those that have relocated to Bagaji Odo and are thinking of relocating out of here because there is information that these herdsmen are coming here to attack.”
One of the survivors of the attack, who gave his name as Joshua Salifu, narrated what happened.
“The herdsmen came at about 3:00 am on Thursday and started killing our people. I am yet to find my wife and my children. About 25 people were buried in our village.
“We don’t know what is our problem with them. This is not the first time they are attacking us. They killed four of our people the last time before Thursday’s incident. We could no longer go to our farms and the rainy reason is fast approaching. What are we going to do?
“The government should help us with adequate security so that we can go back to our community,” he stated.
It would be recalled that earlier in January 2024, yet to be identified gunmen attacked Agojeju-Odo community, killing four people.
