By; ADAMA JOHN, Lokoja
Some attackers said to be heavily armed, subjected their preys to untold hardship on Sunday on the desolate Takete Ide to Aghara Road in Kogi State, inflicting severe injuries and dispossessing them of their valuables.
Identified as Fulani marauders, the Ak-47 wielding attackers in their good numbers, were said to have seized the road in the afternoon and operated unchallenged till evening.
They harassed the unfortunate travelers, detained and forcefully collected their property, while those preys with some measure of resistance in them were tortured to compliance.
When the unsuspecting residents of the peaceful agrarian Takete Ide Community in Mopa Amuro Local Government Area got intelligent report on the attack at about 6pm, they quickly mobilised and organised a resistance to dislodge the bandits from their reported location at the bank of Eba River.
Local hunters led by the Olu-Ode were promptly drafted to the spot. However, according to a source in the community, the gunmen had changed location and had advanced towards the village.
Ultimately, the defending hunters were ambushed by the bandits, leading to an inevitable exchange of gun fire.
Three of the hunters sustained gun wounds, one was declared missing in the night operation, while the attackers were forced to a hasty retreat.
Efforts to reach out to sons and daughters of the area for a harmonised response were channeled towards urging governments at all levels to come to their aid.
Confirming the incident, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government is on top of the situation.
He disclosed that Governor Ododo had made the necessary contacts and directives to mobilise security agents to the area in addition to footing the medical bills of the injured.
“We are aware of the security breach in Mopamuro, and the governor has taken steps to arrest the situation and bring the perpetrators to book.
“As we speak, a joint security task has commenced operation on the matter. We urge the people to remain calm, vigilant, and law abiding. The security agencies have been briefed, and they are determined to flush out the criminals.”
Fanwo added that local government functionaries in Mopamuro, Kabba-Bunu and Ijumu have been put on alert about the infraction and assured that the government will not leave any stones unturned to guarantee security in the state.
