Kogi: Bandits gun down residents in community where monarch was kidnapped

Three young men suspected to be hunters and vigilantes have been killed in Ofoloke community of Yagba west local government area of Kogi state. They were shot dead few days after gunmen stormed the palace of a traditional ruler and whisked him to an unknown location. The traditional ruler of Ofoloke, His Royal Highness, (HRM) […]

Three young men suspected to be hunters and vigilantes have been killed in Ofoloke community of Yagba west local government area of Kogi state.

They were shot dead few days after gunmen stormed the palace of a traditional ruler and whisked him to an unknown location.

The traditional ruler of Ofoloke, His Royal Highness, (HRM) Ogunyanda Ilufemiloye, was abducted in the early hours on Thursday.

It was gathered from the community that the gunmen again struck on Saturday morning, killing three young men.

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A source said the three men were hired hunters/ vigilantes by a telecommunication services provider to give security cover to their technicians who were out in the community to fix a faulty marsk.

Yet another source said the three hunters were shot and killed in an ambush while combing the bush in the area to locate their abducted traditional ruler.

“We are heartbroken and outraged to report that just days after the kidnapping of our traditional ruler in Okoloke village, Yagba West, we have now lost three more innocent lives to bandits in the same community.

“This senseless violence is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for effective security measures.

“The lifeless’ bodies of three hunters were sighted and picked up in the bush this Saturday morning.

“Our community is under siege ; we need the help of all to get us out of this ugly situation . The time to act is now . Many are relocating, as insecurity situation is getting worse in our community,” said Demola Samuel, a youth leader in the community.

The kogi state police command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Aya, had not responded to calls and text messages as at the time of filing this report.