Ten people have been killed, while several others sustained wounds from gun shot and other dangerous weapons at Bagana in Omala Local Government Council in Kogi East Senatorial district.
A source told CAPITAL POST on Monday that Bagana, an ancient community that was still practising trade by barter despite the modernity woke up with gun men surrounded everywhere as early as 5.00 am on Monday.
The attack was suspected to have been triggered by anger over the Onu Omagede, popularly called Mr. Salifu who was coronated few years ago by the late Attah Igala, His Majesty, Dr. Idakwo Ameh Oboni II. The source who didn’t want his name mentioned told our correspondent that since that time, there have been no love lost, as members of the community insisted that the beneficiary of the title wasn’t the right person.
The local source also disclosed that some residents who dived into River Benue while fleeing from gunshots could not be found alive up till Monday evening, while effort was being intensified to locate their bodies in the river.
He explained that the development generated tension and restiveness which forced the Onu Omagede, a community not too distant away from Bagana to temporarily relocate to Bagana.
The initial cold war has been hijacked by the youth in Bagana and Omagede who were now divided in solidarity for and against the Onu Omagede, such that some elders and contemporaries in Omagede and Bagana communities have weaponised the youths for war anytime.
There have been frequent gun attacks in Bagana community leading to human and material casualties. There have been unexplained deaths and houses burnt with Security agents doing little or nothing.
CAPITAL POST gathered that in all those crisis, no arrest have been made, thus, the youth continue to brandish weapons in broad day light without challenges from Security agents.
Monday’s attack went full blown as attackers reportedly hire more criminals from Toto and other communities across River Benue to come and fight.
As at the time of filing this report, bodies of those killed have been moved to A Abejukolo, headquarters of Omala LG, while who sustained injuries are receiving medical attention at undisclosed hospitals in the area.
Bagana, a relatively bubble Community has also been deserted and now a ghost of itself.
A call to the Police Public Relations Officer of Kogi State Police Command DSP, William Ovye Ayah for confirmation was not returned.
The Police has also not yet issued any statement on the development.
