The Kogi State Government has condemned the killings in Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area, and assured residents that those responsible will be arrested and prosecuted, as it intensifies efforts to restore peace and prevent further violence.
The government, while commiserating with families who lost loved ones in the attacks, described the killings as tragic, senseless and unacceptable, insisting that no grievance or misunderstanding should degenerate into the loss of innocent lives.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who conveyed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Kupa Kingdom.
According to the statement, preliminary findings indicated that the crisis was triggered after an unarmed herder was allegedly shot dead by a member of the local vigilante group on suspicion of cattle rustling.
The incident was followed by a deadly reprisal attack allegedly carried out by armed assailants, who invaded Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi communities, killing several innocent residents and heightening tension in the area.
Fanwo said Governor Ododo had directed security agencies to take full control of the affected communities, restore law and order and ensure that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.
He said the governor specifically ordered the immediate arrest of the vigilante member alleged to have killed the herder, as well as all those linked to the reprisal attack, including the leader of the Hybrid Vigilante Group suspected of coordinating the assault.
“The Kogi State Government condemns in the strongest terms both the killing of the unarmed herder and the subsequent reprisal attack. These are criminal acts that have no place in our society. Anyone found to have participated in either incident, regardless of status or ethnic affiliation, will face the full weight of the law,” the statement read.
The government urged residents to remain calm and avoid acts of retaliation capable of worsening the security situation, while calling on members of the public to provide credible information to security agencies to aid investigations and the arrest of suspects.
Fanwo added that the state government is working closely with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to restore lasting peace across Kupa Kingdom and rebuild confidence among the affected communities.
He reaffirmed Governor Ododo’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents, stressing that the administration remains resolute in promoting justice, peaceful coexistence and ensuring that criminals have no hiding place anywhere in Kogi State.
