Houses burnt, four killed as ‘herdsmen’ invade Kogi community

Suspected herdsmen have reportedly invaded some communities in Ijumu and Mopa-Amuro local government areas of Kogi state, killing four persons.

Tajudeen Yusuf, a member of the house of representatives, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The local government areas are located within Kogi west, the senatorial district being represented by Dino Melaye.

Yusuf, who is representing Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu constituency, said the attack on Iluagba and Illai communities occurred on Monday.

He said the “herdsmen numbering about 50” arrived in military uniform and burnt farmlands and houses in the area.

“At around 4:30 am on Monday, there were simultaneous attacks on Tiv people in Iluagba and Illai communities in Ijumu local government area and Mopa-Amuro local government area of Kogi west respectively and people reported that about fifty suspected Fulani herdsmen in military uniform burnt farmlands killed four persons,” he said.

“The men whose weapons were said to include Ak-47 rifles also burnt houses and carted away people’s food supplies.

“In broad daylight, around 2pm on Tuesday 15th May, 2018, two men who were returning from the farm in Agbede Apa, a village along Obaiana-Kabba road encountered these bandits; one of the men fled with injuries while the other one, was killed and his corpse is now at the mortuary of the General Hospital Kabba.”

The lawmaker said many communities in the area now live in fear of another attack, and called on security agencies to intervene in the situation.

William, Aya, spokesman of the Kogi state police command, has not replied TheCable’s inquiries on the attack.