Gunmen suspected to be bandits launched a deadly assault on the Irunda Ile community in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday morning, December 3, resulting in multiple fatalities and a subsequent violent confrontation between local youths and security forces.
Attack and Initial Casualties
The incident began in the early hours when the armed assailants invaded the village. According to community leader, the Bobagunwa of Irunda Isanlu, David Oni Sunday, two local vigilantes lost their lives while confronting the bandits during the initial attack. This fresh onslaught further heightened the existing tension in an area plagued by repeated violent incidents.
Youth Protest Turns Deadly
Following the bandits' raid, angry youths from the community took to the streets to protest the persistent insecurity. When police operatives arrived at the scene, the youths confronted them, demanding that the security personnel pursue the bandits into the surrounding bush. The situation rapidly deteriorated into a clash.
David Oni Sunday stated that during this confrontation, police actions led to the death of two youths. "From there, they mistakenly killed two youths, while others were also hospitalised following the tear gas they received from the police," he explained. He confirmed the total death toll: "In all, four people were killed in our village this morning. Two vigilantes were killed by the bandits and two other persons mistakenly killed by the police." The community leader alleged police reluctance to chase the attackers was the catalyst for the fatal dispute.
Official Confirmation and Government Stance
The Security Adviser to the Kogi State Government, Commander Jerry Omadora (Rtd), also confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja. He verified that bandits killed two vigilantes during the early morning invasion. However, Omadora expressed regret over the actions of the youths, stating it was unfortunate that they did not assist the security agencies as expected.
Omadora outlined the government's response, noting that security personnel were deployed to Yagba to repel the bandits. He claimed successes in recent operations, including the use of a helicopter and the neutralization of bandits occupying a local mine site. "Kogi State government will not allow any criminals in the state. We are working very hard to see that Kogi State is safe for everyone... We are not going to rest until we are able to neutralise the bandits completely," the Security Adviser asserted.
The tragic event underscores the volatile security situation in parts of Kogi State, where communities feel caught between violent criminal groups and what they sometimes perceive as an inadequate or heavy-handed security response.
