At least five people have been killed in a reprisal attack on three communities in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, following the killing of an unarmed herder.
The affected communities — Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi — were attacked by unidentified gunmen on Thursday, according to the Kogi State Government.
The government said the violence was triggered by the alleged killing of the herder by a member of a local vigilante group who suspected him of cattle rustling.
A subsequent reprisal attack by armed men targeted residents of the three communities, leaving at least five people dead and heightening tension in the area.
In a statement Friday, Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Fanwo said Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed security agencies to take immediate control of the affected communities, restore peace and prevent further violence.
Fanwo said the governor also ordered the arrest of the vigilante member allegedly responsible for the herder's death and those involved in the reprisal attack, including the leader of the Hybrid Vigilante Group suspected of coordinating the assault.
The state government condemned both incidents, describing the killings as "tragic, senseless and unacceptable," and said anyone found responsible would face the law regardless of status or ethnic affiliation.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and reject further reprisals, while calling on community members to provide security agencies with credible information to support the investigation.
He added that the government was working with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to restore peace and rebuild confidence in the affected communities.
Comments
Add a comment