Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
A fresh violent communal clash in Bagana, Omala local government area of Kogi state has erupted, leaving about nine persons allegedly killed and scores injured in the late hours of Tuesday.
The over eight years of violent clashes among the ethnic groups in the area, was said to have been re awakened by the insatiable ambitions of some intruders taking advantage of the disunity of the original residents, to claim ownership and headship of Bagana.
Attempt to resist the impostors and their mercenary fighters has led to loss of over 300 lives and properties worth millions of naira as the bandits have turned the place into their area of “influence”, where they rob, loot, kidnap and kill wantonly.
According to sources, the Tuesday attackers were believed to have sailed through the river Benue, berthed at Bagana river bank and started shooting sporadically, causing pandemonium with residents taking to their heels and sought refuge either in the forests or nearby villages.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the organised attack on Bagana could not be different from the previous ones as it was said to have the same mode of operations.
A survivor who escaped by whiskers and who did not want his name in print for the fear of being targeted by the militias told Global Times Nigeria correspondent that, the gunmen invaded a provision shop located in the heart of Bagana and opened fire killing four persons on the spot.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP William Aya, sai, the DPO at Omala had mobilised his men to the scene and evacuated some of the injured to the hospital for treatment, adding that the Police has commenced manhunt to bring the perpetrators to book, assuring that peace has returned and advised the people to return home to continue with their legitimate businesses.
Residents said, the incessant killings by the militias has forced the people to evacuate their families and property from their ancestral homes to become internally displaced persons IDP in neighbouring villages and to some states, lamenting that no sooner that lives have started returning to the community than the ogre of killings resumed.
According those conversant with Bagana, although, a multi ethnic settlement, used to be a haven of peace, until the chiefs of Otutubatu and Ihankpe moved their palaces from Omagede and Patanyi, with the ulterior motive of controlling economic, traditional and political activities of the area.
It was also learnt that as part of efforts to contain the ragging violence, the immediate past governor, Captain Idris Wada severally summoned the chiefs to Lokoja, and warned them to maintain peace, but unfortunately , the warning fell on deaf ears.
Detachments of soldiers and mobile policemen were stationed at the troubled area to maintain peace, but they too became victims as two soldiers and four Policemen lost their lives.
A community leader Alhaji Ismaila Umar while speaking to Global Times Nigeria correspondent on phone, urged Governor Yahaya Bello to establish Naval and police posts in the village, saying the location of the village on the Bank of River Benue has made it vulnerable to all kinds of criminals.
Meanwhile, the paramount ruler of Omala local Government Area, Onuh Ife (Joogba), HRH Boniface Musa, condemned the killings and urged the chairman of the council Hon. Ibrahim Aboh and Governor Yahaya Bello to enforce the earlier directive to the unauthorised chiefs in Bagana to relocate to their domains.
The paramount ruler explained that as part of peace effort, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had summoned all the chiefs from the LGA to Lokoja, the state capital and gave a stern directive to the chiefs of Otutubatu Alhaji Salifu Anyebe and Ihankpe’s representative to relocate to their domains of Omagede and Patanyi respectively.
Kogi New CP, Idrisu Dauda Dabban, Assumes Duty, Promises To Protect lives and property.
He said unless the governor invoke his powers in ensuring that the Onuh Otutubatu is forced to respect his directive of relocation, peace would continue to be elusive and violence will continue in the area.
Another dangerous dimension to the lingering crisis is the invasion of the area by the two belligerents, Agatu and Fulani, who shifted their unending battle from Benue state to Bagana in Kogi state.
While the Fulani pitched their tent with the indigenous Nupe, Hausa and other original inhabitants, the Agatu warriors aligned with those who migrated to Bagana that are now said to be claiming ownership and leadership of the area.
Bagana, a riverine community with a population of about ten thousand inhabitants had played host to John Holt conglomerate during the colonial era. It has a thriving commodity market where trade by barter model of exchange is still practiced.
