KOGI: 44 dead, 26 injured, N541m properties lost in Herders/Farmers, Communal clashes

A report by the judicial commission of inquiry set up by the Kogi State government on herders/farmers and communal clashes, has revealed that 44 persons were killed while 26 others sustained injuries.

The clashes occurred in three local government areas, Omala, Bassa and Dekina between February and April, 2018.

The commission also revealed that properties valued at N541,372,580 were lost to the crises.

Chairman of the Commission, Justice Josiah Mejabi, made the disclosure in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, while presenting the report of the commission to Governor Yahaya Bello.

According to him, 115 persons were also identified to have been responsible for the mayhem.

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Justice Mejabi also disclosed that during its visits to the communities and public hearings, it was discovered that the crises in Ogane-Nigwu, Iyade, Ojuwo Ajimadi, Agbenema-Ife and Agabifor in Dekina and Omala Local Government areas, were between herdsmen and farmers.

Justice Mejabi further revealed that the attacks in Orokwo and Orokwo Buse villages in Bassa Local Government Area were between the Igala and Bassa-Kwomu tribes, advising the state government to provide palliatives to victims of the crises and direct them to maintain the status quo, pending decision on the report.

Governor Bello in his response, promised to ensure security of lives and properties of residents of the state, saying his administration will not play politics with the lives.

On perpetrators of the crises, Bello said: “We will hunt you down, we will come after you, you may be able to run, but you cannot hide. We will smoke you out. We won’t play politics with the lives of the people.”

 

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