Bandits invade Kogi community, hunt royal father, others

Okpotala community in Omala local government council of Kogi State has been attacked by some bandits believed to have come from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, a stone throw from Bagana, allegedly in search of the embattled District Head of Bagana Chief Alih Haruna.

The bandits who stormed the village at the early hours of Friday numbering about 21 on seven motorcycles, shot sporadically into the air to announce their presence in the community.

The bandits, who initially started as militias from Agatu Communities in Benue State have been terrorising the people of Bagana since 2013 when they migrated to the communities on the Kogi borders after they were allegedly displaced by the Fulani herdsmen.

According to the natives, the bandits,  who are believed to be loyal to one of the chiefs residing in Bagana, were said to have stormed Okpotala allegedly in search of  District Head of Bagana  Alih Haruna one of the belligerent in the crisis who often relocate to Okpotala whenever there was a crisis in Bagana.

The bandits, who went from house to house looking for the chief, without success, engaged in indiscriminate shooting that caused serious panic in the community as people scampered into the bushes with broken limbs.

A native who recount their ordeal said, “we were woken from sleep early this morning with a barrage of gunshots. The Gunshots lasted for an hour, followed by House to House search by the AK 47 welding marauders. We were terrified and hid under the beds while those at the outskirts ran into the bushes for safety.”

“We could not understand, reasons for the attack, but, we later, gathered that the attackers came in search of some perceived persons that may have participated in the last Monday attack on their king at Bagana.

“Irked by the inability to get their target, they resorted to harassment and torture of our youths who dare to confront them for their act and in the process, one of our youths was shot on the foot, while others were mercilessly flogged. It took the bravery of our youths who mobilised to engage them before they fled.” The incident has been reported at the Divisional Police headquarters at Abejukolo.

“We call on Governor Yahaya Bello to wade into the Bagana Crisis, which, begun eight years ago and has killed over 300 persons and properties destroyed, with the latest attack on 1st September and 25th October 2021 claiming about 15 persons and Houses razed down,” he lamented.

It would be the recalled that the crisis between Fulani herders/Agatu Farmers in  Benue State snowballed into clannish and Chieftaincy feud in Bagana that have brought the village to rubbles with large humanitarian crisis.

The Police confirmed the presence of the gunmen in the community and have launched discreet investigation.

 (Saturday Tribune: Excluding headline)