In Kogi State’s Omala Local Government Area, the Agojeju-Odo community has buried 25 victims of banditry attacks.
Last Thursday, four children and two women were killed by armed men; the deceased were buried on Saturday.
Ochala Onu-Ife Bagaji Odo, Omala, Chief David Akpa, the District Head, described the attack as barbaric and wicked given the way the bandits unleashed mayhem on his people.
“We are mourning our loved ones who were killed in cold blood. We have never had any misunderstanding either with bandits or with herdsmen before now.
“As it is now, we are living in fear, more so that we heard that they are coming to Bagaji Odo, where surviving victims are taking refuge.
“We are pleading with the federal and state governments to come to our aid and protect us from bandits,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted him as saying.
Akpa further revealed that the attack was the second in 2024 and had created fear in the community.
On Thursday, a community member had running battle between gunmen in parts of Benue State and some bandits led to the onslaught on Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji, and environs.
Commodore Jerry Omodara (retd.), the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Usman Ododo, stated that last Friday the governor had ordered a swift investigation of the incident.