Six persons were in the early hours of Monday allegedly killed and scores injured by unknown gunmen that attacked Bagana community in Omala local Government Area of Kogi state.
The attack occurred barely a month after the attack that led to the death of about nine persons and property worth millions of naira destroyed forcing hundreds of inhabitants to seek refuge in neighbouring communities.
The attackers who went straight to the House of one Chief Salifu Anyebe, who in a fortnight ago had his stool classified to third class – set the palace ablaze and in the process, shot three persons including one Madam Achebe Alih popularly known as Mama Teacher to death.
It was gathered that the attackers, who may have been allegedly linked to a clan opposed to his ascendancy, had planned to attack him during the proposed ceremony of the title.
It was reliably gathered that the information of the attack leaked to him, forcing the abrupt suspension of the ceremony, but the attackers went on to attack the palace leading to the complete burning down of his palace, his car and other valuable Properties belonging to the chief and close families that lived with him.
It was also gathered that immediately the attackers left, some militias from nearby communities were allegedly mobilised, armed with sophisticated weapons and combustible materials who went on a burning spree razing down houses belonging to the suspected clans and those who are on the fence in the ongoing crisis.
According to the locals, a House belonging to the Serving Councillor, representing the District, Hon. Alidu Usman Idakwo and those of other tribes were not spared.
A local who could not hold back tears over the wanton destruction of lives and property lamented at the nonchalant attitude of the government whom he alleged were only waiting to commiserate with the people rather than take divisive action against the perpetrators.
He added that since 2013 that the crisis erupted as Fulani herders and farmers clashes, later snowballed into ethnic and Clannish cleansing, lamented that no fewer than 300 persons have lost their lives and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Idrisu Dauda Dabban in the company of the chairman of Omala LGA Hon. Ibrahim Aboh had on Tuesday visited the area and as usual assured the people to return home that peace has returned, adding that the police have commenced investigation to bring the perpetrators to book.
