Olu Samuel, Lokoja

The Kogi state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed deep shock over last Thursday’s communal clash which claimed 19 lives in Agojeju-Odo in Omala local government area of the state.

Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement on Saturday said the Governor regrets the ugly dimension that the communal clashes between people in the area have assumed over time.

He promised immediate intervention by his administration to forestall reoccurrence of the unfortunate situation.

Recall that suspected herdsmen on Thursday invaded two communities of Agojeju and Abejukolo in Omala local government area in Kogi Eastern Senatorial district killing no fewer than 19 people.

Ododo promised to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act in the community to justice, adding that security agencies are on the trail of the assailants whose acts of mindless cowardice resulted in the destruction of lives and property in the area.

“I want to assure you that all those who perpetrated this dasterdly act will be brought to book. Security agencies are on their trail and in no time they will be brought back to face the full wrath of the law” he said.

The Governor who has since sent a delegation led by the state deputy Governor, Elder Joel Oyibo Salifu on a condolence visit to the area further assured that kinetic and non-kinetic measures deployed by the state government has led to relative stability in Omala local government area until the recent escalation of the conflict.

Governor Ododo further stated that the state will deploy a detachment of the recently established Metropolitan Quick Response to the area to complement existing security architecture in Omala local government area.

The Governor commiserated with relatives of those killed in the crisis and promised to provide support for those injured and others whose houses were destroyed.