25 killed as ‘herdsmen’ invade Kogi communities

At least 25 people were reportedly killed after suspected herdsmen attacked Oganienugwu and Ikende communities in Dekina local government area and Abejukolo in Omala local government, all in the eastern senatorial district of the state.

According to Punch, the attack which started on Tuesday and continued till Thursday, has caused residents to flee their homes.

The suspects, who were said to have been dressed in army uniforms,  reportedly slaughtered the victims after tying them up, while those who attempted to escape allegedly received machete cuts.

Several houses were said to have been set ablaze and some others demolished, while the suspects also destroyed produce in the farms of residents.

Matthew Obasa, oba of Ayede Oke-Agi Amuro in Mopamuro local government area of the state, had earlier cried out on the continued attack by herders in Kogi.

Obasa alleged that herdsmen murdered one Paul Oluwole (a.k.a Serebe), an ex-councillor of Mopamuro, on his way to the farm on March 8.

Obasa also claimed another woman was attacked.

“Another woman died on Wednesday due to the severe injuries she sustained from herdsmen attack about a week ago,” Obasa said.

“The woman, who was returning home from the farm with her little baby on her back was raped and had her hands and breast cut off. Our lives and the entire community are not safe from the hand of these evil men as they go about with guns and dangerous weapons.”

As parts of its effort to curb the attacks, the military launched an operation in six north-central states, including Kogi, in February.