Kogi attack: Community leader seeks military base as death toll rises to 25

Elias Atabor, the Leader of Agojeju-Odo community in Kogi State, has urged the Federal Government to establish a military base in Omala Local Government Area to curb the frequent attacks by bandits on the residents.

Atabor voiced his plea during an interview with reporters in Lokoja on Friday, expressing deep concern over the escalating death toll from the attacks.

He reiterated the call following the revelation that the death toll from Thursday’s assault on the Kogi community had risen from 19 to 25, with four children among the casualties and several others hospitalized.

Atabor emphasized the urgent need for government intervention, noting that Thursday’s incident marked the second attack in less than three months, with a previous assault occurring on January 29, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

He stressed the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the community, Agojeju-Odo, is their ancestral home and they have nowhere else to turn to. Atabor lamented the continued loss of lives and the anguish of families still searching for missing loved ones.

Appealing for assistance, Atabor underscored the critical necessity for government action to prevent further bloodshed and safeguard the community from the well-equipped bandits who pose a severe threat to their existence.