Attacks: Gov. Bello visits Oganenigu, assure communities of Security, humanitarian interventions »

…as community members, Emergency Agencies laments loss of lives, properties

…perpetrators will face justice – govt. Assures

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has assured communities in recent attack by some unknown gunmen in Oganenigu in Dekina local government area that his government would be prompt in bringing security and humanitarian interventions.

The governor added that following reports of the attack, security forces of Military and police were promptly deployed to the affected and neighbouring communities and their presence according to him have forestalled more casualties.

The governor who was represented at the on the spot assessment by his Deputy, Edward Onoja described the incident as barbaric, though not very frequent in Kogi state owing to the fact that the administration frowns at such occurrence while he promised that the perpetrators would be brought to books.

Governor Bello commiserated with families of the deceased and community members who have lost loved ones and their properties.

He noted that the on the spot assessment comprised of security heads across the state and delegation of the State Emergency Management Agency who have been directed to take proper stock of events in a bid to galvanise humanitarian response to the community members affected and displaced.

The governor said “Kogi state is very proactive in responding to issues and occurrences that affects the people hence the prompt response by the government to take stock of events and determine how it would offer immediate succour to the people and find a lasting solutions to such menace”.

On his part, the Kogi state Commissioner of Police, Akeem Adeshina Yusuf, noted that security operatives were currently investigating the root cause of such animosity as well as the immediate remedies that could be undertaken.

He noted that the state governor was very much unhappy about the event and directed the on the spot assessment hence the visit of all the security heads in the state to the site of incident. The commissioner assured that mobile officers and officers of the Anti Terrorist unit would be on ground alongside Military men who have been stationed in the community and it’s environments since the occurrence.

The Executive Secretary of Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Kolade Isaac, confirmed the enormous havoc wreaked by the perpetrators, while he revealed to journalist that upon submission of its reports of assessments government would swing immediately to action to provide basic amenities for those who have been displaced by the occurrence.

He also alluded that SEMA has identified areas of temporary settlement for some of the displaced persons and was close to identifying those who have been seriously affected for proper intervention.

A community member, Mr. Abimaje David narrated that attackers started from Edede community wreaked havoc in Ojiapata and Oganenigu leaving survivals to scamper for their lives in neighbouring villages.

Another victim, Alhaji Atabor Idrisu on his on part pleaded for government’s immediate intervention in areas of basic needs and more security, hinting that the attackers were planning to launch attecks in other neighboring communities.

The total number of casualties cannot be ascertained as at press time because many others are said to still be missing.