A
Masquerade and six persons have been killed in Okene and Ofu Local Government
Area of Kogi State respectively by yet to be identified gunmen.
The
killing in Okene which involved Masquerade and three of his followers
occurred yesterday at Idare district in Okene Local Government Area of the
state.
Segun
Okeowo gathered that the masquerade and three of his followers were gunned down
by two men on motorcycles during the “Eche-Anee” festival which is normally
celebrated annually by the people of Kogi Central.
The
source further disclosed that immediately the masquerade and some of his
followers were gunned down other people at the scene took to their heels to
avoid been attacked. Meanwhile, the state government has banned the festival
celebration to avoid further crises.
The
Government statement issued yesterday by the Director General, Media and
Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo warned that, “Any masquerade or masquerades caught
parading the street will be arrest and those behind the masquerade.”
In
another similar development, three members of the Vigilante group in Ofu Local
Government Area of the state were allegedly killed by yet to be identified
bandits on Monday night at Ahi village.
The
deceased who were conveying three suspected criminals they earlier arrested who
later escaped after the attack were said to have been ambushed by some
assailants on their way to Ugwolawo Divisional Police Office at the LGA
headquarters.
According
to a relation of one of the slain vigilante, Musa Abuh said they suspected that
there was communication between some people in the community and the bandits;
giving them information on the movement of the vigilante group and arrested.
Suspects.
“This is a serious setback to the community policing which we all embraced as a
panacea to the upsurge of crime in the rural areas” Musa Abuh lamented.
Meanwhile,
the Administrator of Ofu Local Government Area, Sule Abuhegbiti who confirmed
the killing to newsmen said investigation into the matter has commenced in
earnest.
However,
effort to confirm the two attacks from the Police Public Relation officer, Mr.
William Aya proved abortive but sources close to Kogi State Police Command
confirmed the incident saying the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson
Inalegwu is on top of the situation.
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