Gunmen in the early hours Friday attacked the Police Area Command office in Eika Ohizenyi, Okehi Local Government area of Kogi State, killing one police officer in the process.
The attackers who came on motorcycles also set a part of the command headquarters ablaze with the aid of dynamite and also vandalised some properties.
The deceased police officer identified as Inspector Idris, popularly known as Yellow, is a native of Ugwolawo, Ofu Local Government area of the state.
The attack was the second within last two months in the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, Edward Egbuka, who visited the scene of the attack for an on-the-spot assessment, immediately ordered the deployment of additional operational assets consisting of operatives of the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Quick Response Unit, State Intelligence Bureau in synergy with other security agencies to restore normalcy to the area.
The visit was contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, in Lokoja on Friday.
The statement mentioned that part of the Area Command Office was razed by dynamite used by the attackers and Jibril, a Police Inspector, died in the exchange of fire with the hoodlums.
The Commissioner of Police, however, assured that the Command is committed to working in synergy with other security agencies as well as patriotic stakeholders to make the State safe and secure.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the state government vowed to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.
“The Executive Governor of Kogi State has directed the office of the State Security Adviser to mobilize adequate security personnel and equipment to the affected area to ensure watertight security and restore confidence in the citizens as the State Government implements an effective action plan to avert reoccurrence, while also working closely with the security chiefs in the state as well as the people in the affected area.
“We commend the gallantry of the security operatives who resisted the attack with utmost bravery and professionalism to reduce the level of casualties. We shall wait for the Kogi State Police Command to release official reports. Meanwhile, interim reports available to us show there was one casualty recorded at the scene of the attack which was foiled by security agents.
“We wish to appeal to residents of Okehi to cooperate with security agencies as necessary measure will be put in place to curb violent crimes in the area and also flush out the criminal elements bent on denting the security credentials of our dear state which is comparatively the safest in the country today. All the broadcast stations of the state have been directed to publicize the curfew for public enlightenment.
“Government will also rely on credible intelligence from our patriotic citizens that will lead to the arrest of the criminals as no resource will be spared in ensuring safety of the lives and property of the Kogi people. The State Government will also take full responsibility for the medical treatment of those injured in the unfortunate attack,” the statement said.
The state government assured the people of Kogi State that normalcy has returned to Okehi after efforts at restoring peace with the full cooperation of conventional and local law enforcement agents.
