Four people were killed by suspected bandits, while two other victims sustained injuries in Omala Local Gov Area of Kogi State.

The attack took place at Ofeapo on Idrisu-Bagana Road at 9:59 pm on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

According to reports, the victims were traders who were traveling in a Keke Napep. Gunmen opened fire at them from close range and killed four, while two survivors were taken to nearby hospitals.

According to reports, members of the community had to take cover to avoid the bullets of the bandits who were about 10 in number.

The bandits were fully armed as they targeted their victims returning to their various places after they had concluded business in the market.

Those who were killed including a couple, a woman, and another male, were natives of Bagana but had to relocate to Abejukolo in the wake of the senseless killings in the communities.

SP William Ayah (State Police Command Spokesperson) confirmed that the attack occurred at 9:45 pm on Thursday. He said that some armed robbers assaulted marketers returning from Bagana Market.

He said one person, a commercial tricycle rider was killed on the spot while two other passengers sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.

He noted that the commissioner of Police had deployed a team of tactical operatives to the area to restore normalcy, while an investigation is on with a view to trail the hoodlums and bring them to book.

Meanwhile, the paramount ruler of Omala Local Government Area Traditional council, HRH Boniface Musa, the Ojogba of Ife condemned the dastardly act and prayed to God to give the family of the victim fortitude to bear the loss.

He decried the incessant attacks on the Bagana people by unknown gunmen, lamenting that this killing has taken the peace process back, at a time when all hands had been on deck for the safe return of the Internally displaced persons IDP to their homes.

He appealed to the state Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to as a matter of urgency, wade into the lingering Bagana crisis that has killed tens of people and rendered many homeless.