Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State yesterday paid a visit to Ojuo Omaigbe, a farming settlement of people from Ogane-Inugu, where Fulani Herdsmen wrecked havoc within the week killing villagers. Ojuo Omaigbe which is in Bassa LGA of Kogi State and not Dekina LGA as earlier reported.
The visit was to have an on spot assessment of the attack, commiserate and console the people of Kogi East.
The governor arrived Ojuo Omaigbe late in the afternoon, after
a very long torturous journey, deep into the mountainous Igala hinterland, that saw vehicles traveling and men walking for about 8 hours into the bush from the Kogi State University town, Ayingba.
Governor Bello was received by the commander Army Records, Major Gen FO Agugo, who with other security operatives, journalists, sympathizers and villagers proceeded to access the extent of damage done to the village.
It would be recalled that within the week, the news is of armed Fulani herdsmen killing well over 50 people. This is far from the truth.
A victim who’s father lost his life recounted the ugly experience to governor Bello. He said 3 days before the attack, information of the attack filtered into the village. This made the men send away their children and their wives and remained.
Asked if official report was made to government or security operatives, he said there was none to the best of his knowledge , but said the attack was a highly coordinated one.
E-Reporter News correspondent who went on the trip said that the terrain in itself is very rough and mountainous , with no presence of telecommunication signal, reason why the marauders were able to perpetrate their wicked act with ease and weak resistance, the community is totally cut off from civilization.
An eye witness, Abudullahi Nasiru who lost his brother recounted the incidence to journalists, the Herdsmen numbering over 500 surrounded the village and opened fire. He maintained that they were not ordinary Fulani. He said as many who had the ability to resist gun shot were slaughtered and dismembered, while he escaped by the whiskers. When asked of the total number of the dead , he said they are a total of 12, 10 died on the spot, while 2 died on their way to the hospital.
While speaking, governor Yahaya Bello commended the security operatives for prompt response and being able to contain the attack from spreading. He assured the people of the Igala Kingdom and Kogi state as a whole that under his watch, he will not shy away his responsibilities as governor, which is to protect the lives and property. That is why he carried out the on the spot assessment to see the extent of damage.
He promised to comfort the families that lost their loved once. The Governor also intimated the people that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry would be set up to look in to the mayhem, while promising to provide basic amenities that has hitherto been lacking in the communities for them.
The Governor advised the dwellers to exercise restraint from returning to their settlements just yet, to allow the military carry out sweeping of the area.
This will be the first and the last time communities would ever witness Fulani attacks and we shall not play politics with the lives of our people, Governor Bello reiterated .
While thanking the Governor, the Ejeh of Dekina, Dr. Usman Obaje said, this is the first time a sitting governor would visit the community. He said in 2015, similar took place in the community, but got no response from the then government. He thanked the Governor for taking out time to visit.
