The police have a job on their hands and it is not unconnected with the recent killing of three persons in their prime in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State as the people are eager to know how and why they were killed.
Ejule has in recent times, gained notoriety for violent eruptions but this is one incident that no one seems to understand the motive. It is still shrouded in mystery.
The three young men, who were aged between 25 and 35 years, were gunned down recently by unknown gunmen.
An eye witness, Mallam Musa Yusuf, who spoke to The Graphic, said the victims, Omika Sule Audu, (a.k.a Omika) Pepper, Amana John and Musa Sule Anaja were relaxing at a beer vendor shop at Ejule along Anyigba road, opposite Ilemona Clinic at about 8.00 pm when they were attacked and killed by yet to be identified gunmen.
Even though, there were scores of other people in the same beer shop, it was obvious that the three were the target.
The gunmen, who allegedly came on a motorbike, dropped and fired at their targets and zoomed off. In the ensuing confusion, everyone ran in different directions giving the assailants the ample opportunity for escape.
Omika Audu and Musa Anaja were butchers at a local abattoir in the Ejule Motor Park, while Amana John, a native of Ojapata-Ajodi, was a table water producer and distributor.
Musa, a graduate from Kogi State University, took up the trade after several unsuccessful attempts at securing for jobs after his NYSC programme. He was the bread-winner of his family.
Since the killing, there has been an uneasy calm in Ejule in particular and the entire Local Government Area in general.
The people are yet to come to terms with the reason that would have led to the killing of three friends in one fell swoop with the killers leaving no trace.
With tension mounting in the area, the leadership of the council has called for calm, assuring that the police are working round the clock to track down the perpetrators of the violent act.
A press statement issued by Ofu Local Government Council, signed by the Chief Information Officer, Elder Mike Achimugwu and made available to The Graphic indicated that the matter is being handled by the police divisional headquarters at Ugwolawo.
A police officer at Ugwolawo who spoke with The Graphic on conditions of anonymity said the police are yet to find useful lead into the matter, but noted that several possibilities were been explored.
He however, added that a notorious thug in Ejule town who was earlier fingered in the attack on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Ibro Suite Ejule is a prime suspect.
Another angle being considered, the police officer said, was the hint that the three young men were being considered for some appointments in the Local Government Council. This angle is being reinforced by the fact that they were killed shortly after some workers of the Local Government allegedly bought them bottles of beer to ‘celebrate’ their expected appointments.
A notable politician in the area, however, dismissed the second allegation, saying that the attack may have been carried out by Fulani herdsmen who are currently on rampage in some parts of Kogi State, especially those that they recently attacked Ojuwo-Ocha village in Ofu LGA.
Source: The Graphic
