Fulani herdsmen have reportedly killed 12 people, and kidnapped a community head with his family members in attacks in Kogi state recently, sources confirmed.
The country over the years has been plagued by violence attributed to Fulani herdsmen attacks , particularly in the Middle Belt and Northeast with attacks taking place almost on a daily basis.
The Kogi State Police Command during a press conference with pressmen confirmed the dastardly attacks in Lokoja, the state capital.
Twelve people were reportedly killed in Abejukolo community of Omala local government area of Kogi state on May 26, 2018.
On that fateful day, the Fulani herdsmen invaded Abejukolo village riding motorbikes around 8.p.m, shooting sporadically and killed twelve members of Abejukolo community, injuring three others.
“several houses were also burnt down, including the house of the community head, Mr Balogun Ismail Arisekola. About 3,000 people in the town are being displaced”. Kogi State Command Commissioner of Police said in a statement.
Mr. Hassan, a resident of Abejukolo community told our correspondent that one of the children of the community head, a 24 year old Balogun Kazeem Abolaji who just graduated from the University of Lagos, Lagos state, who exhibited a show of courage to repel the herdsmen from attacking his parents was severely beaten and wounded in the process, but however escaped into the bush with injury on his mouth.
It was gathered that the herdsmen overpowered the community head and his family members who attempted to escape but were rounded up and taken into the vast forest.
“To date, no one has any information about their conditions. No one is sure if they are dead or alive and in what condition. There is now uncertainty and anxiety over the disappearance of these people.”
He identified the kidnapped family as Balogun Ismail Arisekola (community head )46,
Mrs Balogun Oluwatoyin Abidemi 45,
Balogun Shakiru Olanrewaju,26,
Balogun Shukurat Temitope,20,
Balogun Azeezat Abosede,19,
Balogun Saheed Motomori,5,
Balogun Fathia Nifemi,infant,
Balogun Raheemat Taiwo,21,
“They were armed with machetes and AK-47 rifles as they attacked us,”Mrs. Hanatu John, a woman who survived the attack, told our correspondent .
“They attacked our village at about 8pm, and they were shouting, ‘Allahu Akbar!’ as they shot into our houses.”
“The herdsmen were speaking Fulfulde, the Fulani language, as they shot into homes, “she said.
“Most families had already retired into houses to sleep when these Fulani gunmen came into the community and were shooting into houses,” Mrs Hanatu John told our correspondent in Miango town, where she took refuge.
“As the herdsmen shot at us, we all ran out from our houses into the surrounding bushes. Some of the herdsmen chased after us and shot at us, while others were burning down our houses.”
According to her, a search party was conducted to find Balogun Abolaji Kazeem who escaped into the bush with injury on his mouth but proved abortive.
“We are particularly worried about the widespread insecurity in Kogi state where wanton destruction and killings by armed Fulani herdsmen, bandits and terrorists have been taking place on a daily basis in our communities unchallenged despite huge investments in the security agencies.” She added.
