Curfew in troubled Nigerian town, after 2 soldiers killed

Two soldiers have been confirmed killed in a fresh gun attack in Okene, Kogi, by unidentified identified men.

Mr Simon Ile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, said the incident occurred at about 4p.m, a few metres to the headquarters of the Okene Local Government secretariat.

Ile said that three men opened fire on the Army patrol team on duty around the area killing two of the soldiers instantly.

Ile expressed the belief that the gunmen, who escaped from the scene, might be responsible for Monday’s attack on a branch of Deeper Life Bible Church in Eikha-Adagu Area of Okene.

Sixteen worshipers were killed and several other people injured in the attack on the church. Three of the injured died in hospital.

Meanwhile, the Kogi Government on Tuesday imposed an indefinite dusk to dawn curfew on Okene and its environs.

Gov. Idris Wada announced this during a broadcast to the people of the state on the worsening security situation in Okene.

Wada also placed a restriction on the operation of commercial motorcycle operators from 6 a.m to 6 p.m in Okene and Lokoja, the state capital.

NAN reports that the governor’s announcement came only a few hours after unknown gunmen killed two soldiers in Okene.

The governor, who expressed his pain and sadness over Monday’s gun attack on a branch of Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene described the action as “inhuman, ungodly and barbaric.”

He said that such a dastardly act in which 16 people were killed could only be perpetrated by “devil reincarnates.’’

Wada also handed over seven new Hilux vans to the security outfits in the state to enhance their operations.

He also announced that three toll-free telephone lines have been provided for members of the public to give necessary security information to government and members of security agencies.

The governor commiserated with the leadership and members of the Deeper Life Bible Church as well as the family members of the victims.

Wada gave the assurance that the government would smoke out the culprits for punishment.

He described the situation in the state as a “moment of exceptional grief’’ and called on traditional rulers in the Kogi Central Area to “sweep out the despicable elements’’ in their domains immediately.

Wada also cautioned citizens against reading meanings into the incident until security agencies were able to establish the true identities of the perpetrators.

He also advised against unnecessary rumour mongering, saying that government was on top of the situation.

The governor then directed security agents to ensure the safety of live and property.

As Wada slammed curfew on the town, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar also ordered a 24-hour surveillance in the town.

He also extended the security blanket to other vulnerable parts of Kogi.

Abubakar also ordered the immediate deployment of additional personnel of Police Mobile Force to beef up security in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Frank Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, in Abuja on Tuesday.