The community of Ohi-Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi state was thrown into mourning as the news of the tragic demise of Chief Ojo Olayinka, the Elepe of Ohi-Ogidi, surfaced. Chief Ojo Olayinka fell victim to yet-to-be-identified gunmen who perpetrated the heinous act.
The state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the harrowing incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, condemning the atrocious act in the strongest terms. He emphasized the barbarity of undermining the state’s efforts in securing the lives and property of its citizens.
In response to the tragic event, the State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, swiftly directed security chiefs and the state security adviser to ensure the perpetrators face justice. Governor Ododo stressed the importance of maintaining the trust of the citizens in the state’s security apparatus, highlighting the state’s unwavering commitment to combating insecurity.
Despite the profound loss suffered by the community, Commissioner Fanwo urged the people of Ogidi and Ijumu Local Government Area to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands. He assured them of the state’s robust security measures to safeguard lives and bring perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice.
Commissioner Fanwo extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Chief Ojo Olayinka, the Ogidi community, and the entire Ijumu Local Government Area, as well as the traditional institution. He prayed for the repose of the departed soul and reaffirmed Governor Ododo’s administration’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.
This tragic incident echoes a similar devastating event on January 6, 2024, when suspected arsonists set ablaze the 75-year-old elder sister of the Attah Igala, Mathew Opaluwa, alongside her granddaughter, Hajarat, in the Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State. The community remains in shock and mourning as such senseless acts of violence continue to plague the region.
