...As Kogi To Set Up Judicial Panel Of Inquiry
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A witness of the March 15 herdsmen/ farmer clash that claimed 15 lives in Ogane-Enigu area of Kogi State has stated that the attackers numbered over 500 and overwhelmed the initial resistance the community put up, forcing them to flee for their lives.
He spoke when the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello at the weekend paid a visit to the troubled area and said that government would set up a judicial panel of inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the clash.
Mr Aaron Baba, a member of Ojuwo-Ajomaigbi community, whose father was killed in the attack, told the governor that 12 people were buried along with his father, adding that many others were still missing.
“They took us by surprise. They came in military camouflage with AK-47, AK-45 and AK-49. You can see the empty bullet shells scattered all over. I am appealing to government for assistance.”
He expressed shock at the attack “because we have been friendly with the herdsmen here and very often engaged in trade by batter with them until they started behaving “very strangely”.
Mr Samaila Maji, another member of the community, said that the attackers invaded the communities around 8 a.m. on Wednesday and started shooting at the natives.
“Our people tried to repel the attackers but were overwhelmed because they were more than 500. Our people had no option but to flee,” he said, adding that 25 people were killed while many others injured.
Bello disclosed the panel of inquiry while addressing troops of 913 Battalion of the Nigeria Army stationed at Aloko-Ogane-Enigu, Dekina Local Government, to end the hostilities and restore peace to the affected communities.
He said that the armed bandits were poised to sack the communities but were contained by security agencies that included the Army, Police and the DSS .
“The primary responsibility of any government is to secure lives and property. We shall not play politics with the lives of our people.
“We shall unravel everything that is behind these attacks. By the grace of God, this attack is going to be the first and the last in this place and the state.
“As a government, we will, as much as possible, comfort the families affected and ensure that those injured received prompt medical attention,” he said.
The governor had earlier undertaken an on-the-spot assessment visit to the troubled communities in Ogane-Enigu and Ojuwo-ajomaigbi in Dekina and Bassa Local Governments respectively.
Mr Reuben Okai, one of the victims, appealed to government to come to the aid of the people as many had lost everything.
“They (attackers) made away with food stuff and all valuables; they also stole cash and 45 motorcycles belonging to our youths,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, has disclosed that the herdsmen/Farmers clashes in Oganeigwu in Eastern flank of the state have been brought under control as normalcy is gradualy returning to the area.
The Deputy Commissioner in charge of Criminal Investigation, DCP Mohammed Ahmed Barde disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Police Command headquarters in Lokoja on Saturday, stated that with the presence of the security personnel in the area, the crisis has been checkmated.
Barde explained that only 12 persons were reportedly killed in the clash between the farmers and herders in the area.
According to him, Kogi state is relatively peaceful before the crisis broke out on March 14, stressing that the Anyigba Area commander had ensured security agents have been deployed to the area.
He advised the farmers and herdsmen to live together in peace and harmony,
He urged the Fulani herdsmen to stop grazing into any farm, while the farmers should stop killing their cows to allow peace to reign in the area.
He pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of administration had earlier visited the troubled zone.
