Many Killed As Gunmen Invade Kogi Community

Suspected Fulani gunmen, early Friday morning, invaded Agojeju-Odo, a community in Omala Local Government Council in Kogi East Senatorial District, killing scores. The marauders who are fully armed surrounded the community and opened fire, killing and burning houses. A community leader, who escaped by the whiskers, but pleaded to remain anonymous, spoke with our correspondent, saying they were caught unawares. He revealed that 27 corpses have been recovered as of the time of filing this report, while some local vigilante men have moved into the bush looking for missing persons. He explained that rumour has been rife in the past three weeks of the possible invasion which was brought to the attention of the recently appointed Local Government Council Caretaker Chairman, Mark Edibo, but they were assured of safety and protection. He said: “There was a misunderstanding between a young man in Agojeju-Odo with a Fulani herder on his farm after cattles ate up his yam tubers which resulted in a fight; the caretaker chairman intervened. “Since then, the herders vowed that they will mobilize and get back and there has been apprehension,” the source said. Speaking with Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, he confirmed the attack, but said the Commissioner of Police immediately drafted the tactical squad to the scene to restore normalcy. According to him, the tactical squad which comprises Mobile Police, Soldiers and Vigilante men were drafted after a distress call and they are currently on ground. The Police Spokesman could not confirm the figure of dead persons, while he promised to get back after speaking with the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Omala Local Government Council. “As for the figure of dead persons, I can’t confirm now. I will call you after I have spoken with the DPO in charge of Omala, but I know that so many people sustained gunshot injuries,” he said.

Kogi Community Petitions IGP Over Alleged Mining License Fraud by Village Head

The Orinono Community Centre in Kogi State has lodged a formal complaint with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon, the Ejeh of Olamaboro, accusing him of fraudulent mining license acquisition without the consent of the host community. In a petition dated September 20, 2023, titled “Petition Against Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon, The Ejeh Of Olamaboro Local Government, Kogi State, Hon. Agwoka Peter Abah, Mr. Yusuf Akahaka Iduh, Mr. Musa Balla, Matigo Oguche, Achema Joseph Akor Omale, And Luke Usman,” the community demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. According to the petition, Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon, who is not a member of Orinono Community, allegedly forged signatures of some community members to fraudulently obtain a small-scale mining lease without their consent. The lease was granted in his personal name on May 22, 2023. The Orinono Community’s lawyer, Ojonimi S. Apeh Esq., stated that attempts to amicably resolve the dispute had failed. The community claims that Simeon has been resorting to threats, including threats of violence and kidnapping, to maintain his authority as the Ejeh of Olamaboro. The petition highlighted that Olamaboro Local Government Area (LGA) comprises several communities, each with its respective Chiefs (Gagos) and Chiefdoms, pre-dating the creation of the local government and the state itself. Orinono Centre is an ancient community with its own Chief (Gago) and Chiefdom, where coal, a valuable solid mineral, is discovered. Trouble began when the community discovered on August 4, 2023, that their village stream, the sole source of water, was contaminated due to illegal mining activities by Simeon and his security personnel. The Ministry of Mines was informed, which prompted an investigation and a directive to Simeon to suspend further mining activities, a directive he allegedly ignored. Instead, he continued mining and hired more security personnel, causing security breaches in Orinono Centre. The community further claimed that the clandestine activities of Simeon and his security personnel have led to crimes within the community, leaving residents in fear of kidnapping, violence, and assault. The petition also accused specific individuals, including Hon. Agwoka Peter Abah, Mr. Yusuf Akahaka Iduh, Mr. Musa Balla, Matigo Oguche, Achema Joseph Akor Omale, and Luke Usman, of vandalizing properties and destroying farmlands in the community. The Orinono Community Centre called on the IGP to investigate the alleged criminal activities, ensure justice is served, and safeguard the security and well-being of its members.