By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Heavily armed gunmen at the weekend attacked travellers on the desolate Takete Ide to Aghara Road in Kogi State, inflicting severe injuries and dispossessed them of their valuables.
Sources hinted the press that the Ak-47 wielding Fulani marauders numbering about a dozen were said to have seized the road in the afternoon and operated till evening.
It was gathered that the unknown gunmen harassed unfortunate wayfarers, detained, and forcefully collected their properties. Those who resisted were said to have been tortured to compliance.
When the unsuspecting residents of Takete Ide, a peaceful agrarian community in MopAmuro Local Government, got intelligence on the attack, at about 6pm, they quickly organised a resistance to dislodge the bandits from their reported location at the bank of Eba River.
Sources further revealed that Local hunters led by the Olu-Ode were promptly drafted to the spot. However, according to a source in the community, the gunmen had changed location and advancing towards the village. Ultimately, the defending hunters were ambushed by the bandits, leading to an inevitable exchange of bullets.
Three of the hunters were said to have sustained gun wounds, and one was declared missing in the night operation, while the attackers were forced to a hasty retreat. By dawn on Monday, the missing hunter resurfaced to a rousy welcome in the village.
The attack has created panic and a sleepless night in the community, with stakeholders calling on law enforcement agencies to come to the aid of the farming community.
Prince Dare Fiki, President, Takete Ide Progressive Union, TIPU, who made fantic efforts to reach out to sons and daughters of the area for a harmonised response urged governments at all levels to come to their support.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government is on top of the situation.
He disclosed that Governor Ododo had made the necessary contacts and directives to mobilise security agents to the area in addition to footing the medical bills of the injured.
“We are aware of the security breach in MopAmuro, and the governor has taken steps to arrest the situation and bring the perpetrators to book.”
“As we speak, a joint security task has commenced operation on the matter. We urge the people to remain calm, vigilant, and be law abiding.”
Fanwo added that local government functionaries in MopAmuro, Kabba-Bunu and Ijumu have been put on alert about the infraction and assured that the government will not leave any stones unturned to guarantee security in the state.
“The security agencies have been briefed, and they are determined to flush out the criminals.”
