Protest rocks Kogi community as bandits gun down youth leader

A youth leader, identified as Juwon Ajisafe from Odo-Eri, was killed in the Bareke area of Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, when hoodlums suspected to be bandits raided the area. Locals reported that the incident occurred around 8pm on Tuesday when gunmen invaded the community and began shooting sporadically.  The victim was reportedly on […]

A youth leader, identified as Juwon Ajisafe from Odo-Eri, was killed in the Bareke area of Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, when hoodlums suspected to be bandits raided the area.

Locals reported that the incident occurred around 8pm on Tuesday when gunmen invaded the community and began shooting sporadically. 

The victim was reportedly on his way to visit a friend in the vicinity when the armed hoodlums struck.

“Juwon Ajisafe was a victim of circumstance; he was just taking a leisurely walk on Tuesday night when, unfortunately, he ran into the hoodlums’ operation,” said Funmilayo, a resident of Egbe. “He was shot in the process and later confirmed dead at a hospital in Egbe.”

In response, the youth of Egbe blocked the federal highway passing through the town as early as 7 am on Wednesday to draw the attention of the authorities to their plight. The protest was short-lived, as community stakeholders and elders prevailed on the youth to suspend their action for the time being.

According to a concerned citizen, Aremu E. Tayo, Yagba West has witnessed a disturbing wave of attacks over the past 48 hours.

“Within just 48 hours, Yagba West has come under relentless attack,” Tayo said. “Armed bandits reportedly burnt a cashew-laden vehicle along the Egbe–Eruku Road, shot and abducted Mr. Elijah Toba Inakoju near the Lawiri River in Odo-Ere, and allegedly kidnapped three farmers along the Egbe–Okunran Road.”

Council imposes strict curfew

Following the surge in violence, the Chairman of Yagba West LGA,  Tosin Olokun, has reviewed the existing curfew and ordered a total shutdown of nighttime activities.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday, the chairman announced that the curfew will now run from 7 pm to 6 am daily across all communities in the local government area.