Gunmen continue rampage in Kogi, kill policemen, others

By Richard Elesho

Yet to be identified gunmen continued their rampage in Kogi State, killing no less than three police officers at different locations in Yagba East and Lokoja Local Government Areas on Sunday.

The first attack was in Isanlu, headquarters of Yagba East, where the non state actors opened fire at a police checkpoint, killing two officers atached to MOPOL 70 and on duty in the area. The incident happened at about 7:30 as the officers arrived to start work for the day, being a market day.

A source who witnessed the the attack gave details in a social media post. “They were ambushed and killed without any resistance.
The bandits went away with their ammunition, shoes, and one of the officer’s uniform.

“One motorcycle was snatched from a Fulani man, but later abandoned in the bush. No one was kidnapped or robbed.”

Chairman of Yagba East LGA. Joshua Dare Monday confirmed the attack in a statement, describing it as an ambush. “This tragic incident is not only an attack on the Nigeria Police Force but also an assault on the peace and security of our land. It represents a calculated attempt by enemies of progress to destabilize our society and instill fear in our people.

“While mourning the untimely loss of these brave officers, the Council Chairman acknowledges their selfless sacrifice in safeguarding lives and property within Yagba East and beyond. He emphasized that their courage and loyalty to the nation will not be forgotten, but will remain enshrined in the history of our community.

“These two officers of MOPOL 70 died in active service; they are martyrs of peace and guardians of justice. We must honor them not just with words, but by ensuring their sacrifice is not in vain. The enemies of peace must be defeated, and Yagba East must continue to stand strong in unity and resilience.”

The second attack in which two other mobile policemen were killed was said to have occurred in Abugi, Lokoja LGA. A video of the attack was shared on the social media on Sunday afternoon.

The Senator representing Kogiwest in the National Assembly commiserated with families of the slain officers and promised that government will look for the hudlums with a view to making them face justice.

“Our lands, once known to be safe, have been turned into slaughter slabs, and our people are being mindlessly killed by cowards and enemies of the people. To put it mildly, this is a tale of pain, sorrow, and fear. Nevertheless, my thoughts and prayers are with every grieving household. I mourn with you, and I stand with you.

“I assure you that we will commit every required resource to secure our people, remove the fear in the land, and hunt down these assailants to send all of them out of our lands.

“We are working with the federal government, the state government, and every other stakeholder to arrest this menace and put a total stop to it by God’s grace,” Karimi said in a statement.

There have been rising cases of security breaches in Yagbaland and other parts of Kogi west senatorial zone in recent times.

A few days ago, a security man guiding some Chinese miners was killed while four of the miners were whisked into the bush at Ejiba, in Yagbawest LGA.

Similarly, on Thursday, 11 September, gunmen killed three policemen and two vigilantes at different locations in Egbe in the same LGA.

Attempts to reach the police on the stories did not yield positive results.