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The violence unleashed on Kpanche community in Bassa Local Government of Kogi State in the early hours of Sunday has spread to two other communities with death toll jumping from 12 to 16.
The gunmen reportedly invaded Kpanche community around 4 am on Sunday, fired sporadically into the air before burning down houses in the community.
However, some gunmen in military uniform were equally said to have stormed Egbura Mozum communities of Ozugbe, Ibiroko and Ahutara killing some residents and burning down houses.
The attacks has caused so much tension in Bassa Kwomu and Egbura Mozum settlements as residents of Mozum, Ogba and Adimbeku communities fled from their towns.
The Ohiogba of Mozum, Mallam Khalid Ali Bukar confirmed to newsmen yesterday that the Madaki of Ibiroko, Mallam Mohammed Umar was among those killed when the gunmen stormed the area.
He disclosed that five people were killed in Ibiroko while the entire community and Ozugbe town were completely razed down.
The ruler said that one person he simply identified as Musa, was also missing.
The traditional ruler said that he immediately informed security agents of the development but said that the damage was already done before their arrival.
Also the police, in an update on the incident, said that six of the bandits that invaded Kpanche earlier in the day were killed and not five as earlier announced.
The state police command’s spokesman, ASP William Aya, said in a statement that 15 houses were also burnt down in Kpanche.
He said upon receiving distress calls from residents; mobile policemen and soldiers were promptly dispatched to restore peace and order.
Aya said: “On sighting the security personnel, they opened fire at them, but were vehemently resisted by the fire power of the security personnel where six of the attackers were killed.”
However, the release was silent on the attacks and killings at Ozugbe and Biroko communities.
Aya said the Commissioner of police, Ali Janga, has ordered a thorough investigation into the unfortunate incidents.
He said: “He vowed to prosecute anyone linked to the attacks no matter highly placed so as to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Janga urged the affected residents of the affected community to remain calm as the security agencies are determined to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the state.
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