At least five people have lost their lives in a reprisal attack on three communities in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The affected communities are Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi, where suspected gunmen reportedly attacked residents on Thursday.
The Kogi State Government confirmed the killings and directed security agencies to arrest those behind both the earlier killing of a herder and the reprisal attack.
Reports said the crisis began after an unarmed herder was allegedly killed by a member of a local vigilante group who suspected him of cattle rustling.
The herder’s death was followed by an attack by armed men on the three communities, leaving at least five people dead and increasing tension in the area.
In a statement on Friday, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the killings as tragic, senseless and unacceptable.
Fanwo said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had ordered security agencies to take charge of the affected communities, restore peace and stop further violence.
He added that the governor directed the arrest of the vigilante member accused of killing the herder, as well as those linked to the reprisal attack, including the leader of the Hybrid Vigilante Group suspected of coordinating it.
“The Kogi State Government condemns in the strongest terms both the killing of the unarmed herder and the subsequent reprisal attack. These are criminal acts that have no place in our society. Anyone found to have participated in either incident, regardless of status or ethnic affiliation, will face the full weight of the law.”
Fanwo urged residents to stay calm, avoid reprisals and give security agencies credible information to support ongoing investigations and arrests. He also said the government was working with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to restore peace, rebuild confidence and ensure those behind the violence face justice.
