At least five persons have been killed following an invasion of Abugi, Kuchinda, and Mikugi communities in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident was triggered by the alleged murder of an unarmed herder by a local vigilante member over suspected cattle rustling, which led to a reprisal attack on the three communities.
Reacting to the development, the Kogi State Government condemned the violence and commiserated with the bereaved families and the people of Kupa Kingdom.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that Governor Ahmed Ododo has directed security agencies to take full control of the area and restore order.
Fanwo stated that the governor ordered the immediate arrest of the vigilante member who shot the herder, as well as those behind the reprisal attack, including the leader of the Hybrid Vigilante Group suspected to have coordinated the assault.
He added that the state government is working with security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to restore peace across the kingdom.
