16 killed as gunmen attack Kogi community

The violence initially unleashed on Kpanche community in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State in the early hours of yesterday spread to two other communities with death toll jumping from10 to 16.

The traditional ruler of Mozum community in the area, Alhaji Khalid Bukar told newsmen in Lokoja that the violence had spread by afternoon to Ozugbe and Biroko, two villages under his domain.

He said that a number of houses in both villages were razed by unknown hoodlums while five people were shot dead.

The ruler said that one person he simply identified as Musa, was also missing.

He said that those killed included the Madaki of Biroko, Alhaji Mohammed Umar and four of his subjects.

Bukar said that so many houses including that of the late Madaki were razed by the invaders.

Daily Trust learnt that the gunmen who invaded Kpanche numbered over 20.

The member representing Bassa State Constituency at the state assembly, Mr Sunday Shigaba, said many people were yet to be accounted for following the incident, and called on the security agencies to sustain their ongoing efforts in restoring normalcy to the area.

The police, in an update on the incident, said that six of the bandits that invaded Kpanche earlier in the day were killed and not five as earlier announced.

The state police command’s spokesman, ASP William Aya said in a statement that 15 houses were burnt down in Kpanche.

He said upon receiving distress calls from residents, mobile policemen and soldiers were promptly dispatched to restore peace and order.

“On sighting the security personnel, they opened fire at them, but were vehemently resisted by the fire power of the security personnel and six of the attackers were killed,” he said.

However, the release was silent on the attacks and killings at Ozugbe and Biroko communities.