By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has vowed that no person found responsible for the recent killings in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area, will escape justice, as the state government moves to restore peace and prevent further violence in the affected communities.

The government’s assurance followed reprisal attacks in Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi communities, which reportedly left several people dead and heightened tension across the area.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state government described the killings as tragic, senseless and unacceptable, stressing that no grievance or dispute should result in the loss of innocent lives.

Fanwo and Gov. Ododo

Fanwo said Governor Ododo commiserated with the families of those killed and the entire Kupa Kingdom, while praying for the repose of the deceased and strength for the bereaved families.

According to the Commissioner, preliminary reports indicated that the crisis began when an unarmed herder was allegedly shot dead by a member of a local vigilante group on suspicion of cattle rustling.

The killing was subsequently followed by a reprisal attack allegedly carried out by armed persons who targeted communities in Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi, resulting in multiple deaths and escalating tension in the area.

Alarmed by the development, Governor Ododo directed security agencies to immediately take full control of the affected areas, restore normalcy and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The Governor also ordered the arrest of the vigilante member alleged to have killed the herder, as well as those suspected of carrying out the reprisal attack.

The government specifically directed security agencies to apprehend the leader of the Hybrid Vigilante Group allegedly suspected of coordinating the reprisal assault, stressing that every person found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

“The Kogi State Government condemns in the strongest terms both the killing of the unarmed herder and the subsequent reprisal attack. These are criminal acts that have no place in our society,” Fanwo said on behalf of the government.

“Anyone found to have participated in either incident, regardless of status or ethnic affiliation, will face the full weight of the law.”

The government appealed to residents of Kupa Kingdom and neighbouring communities to remain calm and resist any attempt to further escalate the situation through reprisals.

It also urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist investigators in identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible for the violence.

Fanwo said the state government was working with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to restore lasting peace and rebuild confidence among the affected communities.

He reiterated Governor Ododo’s commitment to protecting every resident of Kogi State, regardless of ethnic or social background, while assuring residents that the government would continue to strengthen peaceful coexistence and ensure that criminals have no hiding place in the state.