Olu Samuel
Four persons have again lost their lives on Wednesday when suspected bandits launched deadly attack on Irunda Ile Yagba, East local government area of Kogi state.
The state security adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara who confirmed this to news men in Lokoja on Wednesday said that said the bandits invaded the community in the early hours of Wednesday and killed two vigilantes who confronted them during the attack, adding that it was unfortunate that the youths who ought to assist the security agencies in fighting the bandits did something else.
“Security men were drafted to Yagba to chase the bandits away. Even those bandits occupying our mine site have been neutralized by the security men. Kogi State government will not allow any criminals in the state. We are working very hard to see that Kogi State is safe for everyone.
“Some few days ago, helicopter was drafted to those areas, and we recorded major success.
The bandits were neutralised by the securitymen. We are not going to rest until we are able to neutralise the bandits completely,” the Security Adviser stated.
It was gathered that shortly after the attack by the bandits, tension mounted soon as youths in the area took to the streets to protest the incessant bandit attacks.
When security operatives arrived at the village, according to eyewitness account, the youths confronted them to enter the bush and chase the bandits.
However, the situation turned for the worse, leading to the death of another two persons while others were seriously injured.
A community leader, Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, Chief (Engr) David Oni Sunday, told our correspondent that there was an attack by bandits, which led to the death of two vigilantes.
He noted that when the police arrived, they were reluctant to chase the bandits, which led to the confrontation with the community youths.
“From there, they mistakenly killed two youths, while others were also hospitalized following the tear gas they received from the police.
In all, four people were killed in our village this morning. Two vigilantes were killed by the bandits and two other persons mistakenly killed by the police,” he stated.
Wednesday’s attack was the second in less than two weeks. Last Friday,two travellers were abducted when the vehicle they were travelling on was attacked when two persons were abducted while the third person managed to escape.
Also, the Kogi state commissioner for information and communication, Kingsley Fanwo confirmed the abduction of the pastor of a Cherubim and Seraphim church and his wife during church service in EjibaYagba West local government area.