Tension has gripped Oganenigwu communities in Kogi State as hoodlums invaded the areas, destroying and burning houses, making the residents to flee.
The incident was said to have started on Saturday when a resident, Alilu Ali, was said to have been killed in Edede in Dekina LGA by the invading hoodlums, said to be on a reprisal.
It was gathered that the hoodlums, suspected to be herders, on Monday night, spread their activities beyond Edede to Ojapata and Ebeje settlements in Oganenigwu community.
Residents who were on the run said some of them had taken refuge in areas like Agbada.
A resident, Danladi Amedu, said, “A large number of hoodlums were sighted at about 6.32pm on Monday moving into the crisis areas with large arms. They were said to be over a hundred as reported by a hunter who sighted them in the bush.”
He said the crisis between the herders and the communities had been lingering for weeks, leading to killing of cows and people.
He further said, “A couple was attacked while on transit in Ojapata community. The man died, but the woman was rescued and hospitalized.
“The residents went after their assailants, which led to a clash with the herders living in the forest in the community.”
The state government confirmed the incident, saying it had put up measures to curtail the crisis.
Navy Commander Jerry Omadara (Rtd), the Security Adviser to Governor Yahaya Bello, said the situation was under control as the government had drafted the necessary machinery to the area to check the crisis.
