Kogi Killings: Govt Vows to Bring Perpetrators to Justice

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Worried by the carnages, wanton destruction of lives and properties, the Kogi State Government has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the attacks on Oganenigu communities in Dekina Local Area of the state to justice.

Bello gave the assurance when he led Heads of Security Agencies in the state for on-the-spot assessment to Oganenigu communities on Tuesday.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Edward Onoja, described the attacks as ‘’barbaric though not frequent in Kogi.

‘’His Excellency, the governor, frowns seriously at the attacks and has promised that the perpetrators will be brought to book as always

‘’As we speak, the military have been fully on ground from the very day that the incident happened, they have forestalled more casualties, and they will continue to be on ground.

‘’There will be more deployment of the Mobile Police and anti-terrorism squad that would also be on ground.”

He assured that the SEMA team had taken stock to ensure quick intervention inform of palliatives to cushion the effect of the pains for the community.

‘’Kogi is proactive. We do not waste time in dealing with
issues and challenges of our people.

‘’His Excellency directed that I should come here with the entire team with both the humanitarian and security aspects of it, do our findings so that we can find a lasting solution to it.

‘’These incidences may happen once in a very blue moon in Kogi, and even when it happens those who caused it will not go scot free.

‘’There are some incidences in Kogi West and Central but in all of the incidences, all the perpetrators were always brought to justice.

‘’That is the guarantee from His Excellency Gov. Yahaya Bello; you cannot come to Kogi, destroyed property, take lives and go scot free, you will pay for it,’’ he said.

He added that ‘’the governor has come to commiserate with the people of these communities because I am here to represent him and the entire heads of security agencies.

‘’That is what proactive security focused governor does, and he will continue to be with the people and ensuring that their lives and property are secured.

‘’The security agents will do detailed investigation and we will get the perpetrators and bring them to justice,’’ Onoja said.

Also speaking, the Police Commissioner, Kogi Command, CP. Akeem Yusuf, described the attack as ‘’very unfortunate.’’

‘’We have inspected and have seen the extent of damage. We will do our investigation to find out the significance issues involved in the matter and what remedy that can be put in place.

‘’I have discussed with the military Commander on ground here, and by tomorrow the Mobile Police from Dekina will join the military to be on ground,’’ Yusuf said.

The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Isaac Kolade, said that the destruction was enormous as ‘’over 50 houses were burnt and completely destroyed.

Kolade said: ‘’The immediate next thing to be done is how to keep the displaced persons alive to help them with food items and other palliatives so that they can survive.’’

He said that the IDP camps had been identified where they could locate the displaced persons to cater for them.

One of the community leaders, Mr. David Abimaje, alleged that the attack was carried out by herdsmen on Sunday morning around 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Abimaje noted that Oganenigu community comprised of 32 villages with no single police station, and have witnessed several attacks by herdsmen.

‘’This particular attack had been rumoured and we alerted the security agents, and on Saturday some security agents came to this town and left after a while that same day,” he said.