By Ralph Agbana.
The senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi has commiserated with the families, colleagues, Nigeria Police Force, and the constituents over fresh attacks by bandits in the zone. No fewer than 10 security operatives and other civilians have lost their lives to bandits attacks across the senatorial district within 11 days.
Senator Karimi’s assurances followed the resurgence of devastating attacks and killings of security personnel and other citizens within the Kogi West zone. The latest of the attacks was the killing of two mobile policemen in Isanlu-Ilafin road, in Yagba East Local Government Area, on Sunday. Previously, on September 10, no fewer than three policemen and two vigilantes were killed in Egbe, Yagba West LGA, by suspected bandits. One soldier was reportedly killed in a kidnapping incident involving a Chinese national midweek in Ejiba, also in Yagba West Council. Similarly, on Sunday morning, two mobile policemen were reportedly killed at Abugi, Kupa area in Lokoja LGA, suggesting a new pattern of killings by the bandits in most cases, targeting security operatives and their ammunition.
Karimi said, “With great concern, I acknowledge once again recent resurgence of bandit attacks that have disrupted the lives and livelihoods of our people a few days after the unfortunate Egbe attack, specifically in Ilafin, Yagba East LGA, and Abugi, Kupa area of Lokoja LG. No doubt, families have been devastated, courageous security personnel have paid the ultimate price, and our collective peace has once again been shaken.
“Our lands, once known to be safe, have been turned into slaughter slabs, and our people are being mindlessly killed by cowards and enemies of the people. To put it mildly, this is a tale of pain, sorrow, and fear. Nevertheless, my thoughts and prayers are with every grieving household. I mourn with you, and I stand with you. I assure you that we will commit every required resource to secure our people, remove the fear in the land, and hunt down these assailants to send all of them out of our lands. We are working with the federal government, the state government, and every other stakeholder to arrest this menace and put a total stop to it by God’s grace.
“Our prayers and hopes will remain with the families, colleagues of the deceased and the NPF. We pray that God, in His mercy, will grant the dead eternal rest and grant all of us the fortitude to bear this colossal loss. Amen.”
