Six persons die in Kogi communal clash – Police

The Kogi State Police Command has  on Wednesday confirmed the death of six persons in the Omala Local Government Area of the Kogi State, when gunmen opened fire on residents of Bagana.

The attack which appeared to be a reprisal attack happened in the early hours of Monday.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Idrisu Dabban, who was in Omala for assessment, said the attack appeared to be a reprisal for the attack in August that claimed 10 lives.

Dabban said, “We are here to appeal to the people that violence never solves any problem; they should embrace dialogue in sorting out differences.”

Information gathered that the attackers went to the palace of the newly classified third class chief, Salifu Anyebe, set it ablaze and shot three persons to death, including one Madam Achebe Alih,  popularly known as ‘Mama Teacher.’

Sources said the villagers ran into the bushes for safety during the early morning raid.

Our correspondent gathered that the attackers, who were linked to a clan opposed to Anyebe’s ascendancy, had planned to attack him during the proposed celebration of the title.

Our correspondent was told that the chief got wind of the attack, forcing the abrupt suspension of the ceremony.

It was also  gathered that immediately the attackers left on Monday, some militias from nearby communities went on violence spree, razing down houses belonging to the suspected clans.

It was said that the reprisal led to the burning down of the palace of the Oga Onu Ife, a paramount ruler and the District Head of Bagana, Chief Alih Haruna, while some houses belonging to notable inhabitants were also torched.

The people lamented the nonchalant attitude of the government which had allegedly refused to take a decisive action against the perpetrators.

According to one Mr. Idris Kanogo, he said since 2013 when the crisis erupted as herder- farmer clashes, “it has snowballed into ethnic and clannish cleansing; about 300 persons have lost their lives.

He said since 2013 when the crisis erupted as herder- farmer clashes, “it has snowballed into ethnic and clannish cleansing; about 300 persons have lost their lives.

However, the leader of Indigenous People of Bagana, Alhaji Umar Bagana, has called for an end to the killings and destructions, asking the governor and the government to intervene