Pandemonium broke lose in Kogi state on Wednesday as two people protesting the arrest and detention of their fellow citizens were gunned down by the police.
The incident happened in Umomi community in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to reports, Policemen of the Ugwolawo command had invaded the community and arrested three people after the herdsmen alleged that some of their cows were killed.
A member of the community, Jeremiah Idege, said it was a lie.
“We have issues with the Fulani herdsmen and that has been on for as long as 15 years. They have been destroying our farmland with reckless abandon. As I speak with you, our community is wrecked.
Another resident of the community, Sani Emmanuel, said the herdsmen made the allegation because they were asked to leave the village.
Following the arrest on Tuesday, youths in the community protested. They blocked roads and sang solidarity songs
“The protest, which started around 10am, was peaceful and it was within our village. Suddenly, armed policemen from the Ugwolawo division drove in and shot live bullets into the crowd. We all fled without knowing what had happened. The policemen had left before we knew they had killed two people.” a witness said.
The corpses were said to have been abandoned on the road until the Ata of Igala, Mr. Michael Idakwo, reportedly arrived at the scene and ordered that the victims’ families should take them away for burial.
“We don’t know who to cry to now that the police, who are supposed to protect us, have turned against us. We don’t know any human rights organisation to turn to. Please help us; we are helpless.” another citizen said.
