Lawmaker begs for deployment of troops to Kogi community over herdsmen attack

The lawmaker, Hassan Atayoma Omale, said Bagana community in Kogi state has become a ghost town as it has been deserted

Hassan Omale made a passionate plea to the federal government to deploy troops and mobile police to the community

A member of the Kogi state House of Assembly is pleading with the federal government to massively deploy security agents to his constituency to protect the people against attacks by herdsmen.

Hon Hassan Atayoma Omale representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro federal constituency of Kogi state, said troops of the Nigerian Army and mobile policemen are needed in Bagana, a community in Omala local government of Kogi state.

The lawmaker who spoke exclusively with Daily Post in Abuja, said the absence of security personnel in the community had encouraged herdsmen to continue with their attacks on the people, who are majorly farmers and fishermen.


The lawmaker urged the federal government to deploy troops to the Kogi community
NAIJ.com learnt that according to the lawmaker, many people have deserted their homes in the community following the attacks which spilled over from neighbouring Agatu in Benue state.

He said Bagana has become a ghost community.

“There is need to return the people of Bagana to their communities as they have been living in Abejukolo and other places as a result of attacks on them.

“You know Bagana is part of my federal constituency, they are farmers and fishermen and the people are into trade by barter till now, but the situation has changed and they are seriously affected,” he was quoted as saying.

He also explained the efforts of some leaders to quell the violence in the community and its surroundings.

Issues relating to herdsmen and their attacks on communities have assumed a national challenge

NAIJ.com recently reported that several residents of Ndiagu-Umunafor, Mburubu, in the Nkanu East local government area of Enugu state have fled their homes for fear of attacks by herdsmen.

According to the report, there had been a similar attack on the residents in the past and the herdsmen reportedly possess dangerous weapons.

A resident of the community was quoted as saying: “As it stands today our women are very scared to go to the farms because the herdsmen are fully armed.

"We have heard of the incidences of Agatu, Nimbo and Atakwu, it scares when you see a man who has already commandeered all the cattle into a farm that you newly cultivated and they are busy vandalising all the crops.”