Gunmen suspected to be bandits. on Thursday, ambushed and killed four traders who were returning from Bahana market in Omala local government area of Kogi state.
Two traders sustained injuries in the attack at Ofeapo, along Idrisu-Bagana road.
The victims who were mainly traders where traveling in a tricycle, popular known as Keke Napep, when the gunmen opened fire on them at a close range, killing four on the spot.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Omala Local Government Area Traditional Council, HRH Boniface Musa, the Ojogba of Ife, condemned the dastardly act and pray to God to give the victim’s family fortitude to bear the loss.
The monarch decried the incessant attacks on people in Bagana community by unknown gunmen, lamenting that this killing has taken the peace process aback, at a time where all hands have been on deck for safe return of the Internally displaced persons (IDP) to their homes.
He appealed to the state Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to wade into the lingering Bagana crisis that has killed tens of people and rendered many homeless.
While urging Gov. Bello to implement the recommendations of the Col. Suleiman Babanawa rtd led committee, the monarch called for the deployment of the security agencies to Bagana town to forestall further bloodshed in the communities.
However, the Police spokesperson, Kogi state command, SP William Ovye-Aya, while confirming the incident, said one person, a rider of the motorcycle, was killed while two others sustained injuries and were rushed to medical facilities in Abejukolo, headquarters of Omala LGA.
He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Egbuka, has mobilised tactical squad and officers of the division to the scene to possibly fish out the perpetrators.
According to the locals, those who were killed are two males and two females who are natives of Bagana but had to relocate to Abejukolo in the wake of the senseless killings in the communities.
The locals lamented at the killing which they said, is one too many for a community that has been under siege for more than a decade.
