The Kogi State Police Command has restored calm following recent reprisal killings in Abugi and adjoining communities in the state.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Salisu Afusat, stated that the Command had taken decisive steps to prevent further escalation and restore peace in the affected area.
No fewer than five persons were killed in what was later identified as a reprisal attack following the killing of a herder in the community on Thursday.
“The Area Command, Lokoja, in conjunction with relevant security and community stakeholders, conducted critical engagements with traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders, focusing on reconciliation, restoration of peaceful coexistence, and addressing the underlying causes of the conflict,” Afusat noted.
She said that the command had launched a full-scale investigation into the incident through the State Criminal Investigation Department, with efforts underway to identify, trace, and apprehend all those determined to have engaged in or contributed to the killings.
“The investigation will be pursued diligently, and any suspect found culpable will be brought before the law to face the appropriate legal consequences. Personnel remain strategically deployed within the affected communities to prevent further violence and protect lives and property,” she said.
She stated that following the interventions and stakeholder engagements, normalcy had been restored to Abugi and its environs, with security monitoring continuing to ensure that the peace was sustained.
“The restoration of calm, however, does not in any way halt the ongoing investigation, as the Command remains committed to ensuring that those responsible for the loss of lives are identified and brought to justice,” she added.
The Commissioner of Police stressed that the Kogi State Police Command remained fully committed to protecting the lives and property of residents across the state.
He called on members of the public to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the police and other security agencies.
