August 6, (THEWILL) – At least six persons, including two expatriates and two police inspectors, have been killed by gunmen in Kogi State.
Also killed were two drivers of the expatriates of West Africa Ceramics Company, Ajaokuta, Kogi.
A resident of the area said: “They were on their way home from work (West African Ceramics) when the gunmen attacked their Coaster bus yesterday (Friday) night. Their bus was ambushed by these gunmen.Two police officers providing security to them were also killed.”
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP William Ovye-Aya, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, explained that the six victims, two expatriates, two company drivers and two police inspectors died in the exchange of fire with the hoodlums along Lokoja-Ajaokuta road around 8 pm on Friday.
Ovye-Aya said, the expatriates were being escorted by police to the Ceramic company that evening, when the gunmen attacked them.
He said that the Area Commander and a detachment of Military in the area had to reinforced to the scene of incident before the attackers fled, adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Egbuka, had visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
The CP has equally ordered the deployment of additional operational assets consisting of Operatives of the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Quick Response Unit, State Intelligence Bureau in synergy with other security agencies to restore normalcy in the area.
“The CP is assuring the public that the Command is committed to working in synergy with other security agencies, as well as patriotic stakeholders to make the State a safe and secure place for all and sundry.
“He has further asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to commence investigations into the unfortunate incident, so as to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the attack with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book”, Ovye-Aya assured.
Meanwhile, the State Government has assured Kogi residents that the present administration will remain vigilant in protecting lives and properties.
A statement by the Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government will continue to work with security agencies to retain its position as the safest state in the country.
The statement reiterated the ban on nose masks, brothels and shanties, stressing that, the measure was to give criminals no hiding place in Kogi State.
The statement reads in part, “In as much as we activate dynamism in our security architecture and strategy, we recognise the fact that some cowards will sometimes try to undermine our efforts. What we have always done in such circumstances is to go after the criminals, apprehend them and bring them to justice.
“The governor and the government of Kogi State understand that the number one responsibility of the Government is the protection of the lives and property of the citizens. The Kogi State Government will never shirk such responsibility.
“We urge the people of Ajaokuta and indeed, Kogi State, in general, to go about their normal businesses, as we have put in place stringent security measures to ensure the safety of all.”
About the Author
