Police, terrorists in three-hour gun battle in Kogi

An unidentified gun man was killed on Saturday when the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force engaged some gunmen in a three-hour battle at Idanre, in Okene area of the state.

One person died in the shootout.

The incident occurred barely two weeks after gun men attacked worshippers at Deeper Life Bible Church at Otite and also Muslim faithful at Central Mosque in Okene.

About 20 people were killed during the Deeper Life Church attack.

Also two soldiers and two of the gunmen were mowed down during the mosque attack.

Perpetrators of the Saturday gun battle with the police were not yet known.

It was gathered that panic-stricken residents of Idare fled in different directions to save their lives, while the gunfight lasted.

Our correspondent also learnt that economic activities at Okene were paralysed as shops, markets and even commercial motorcyclists hurriedly closed operations during the attack.

Weapons recovered by the police from the gunmen were rocket launchers, bombs and guns, it was learnt.

Also, four suspects were said to have been arrested over the incident.

An eyewitness told journalists that the gun battle ensued when the heavily armed policemen stormed the hideout of the gunmen at Idanre, in Okene.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Mr. Muhammed Katsina, confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday.

But he claimed that the gunmen were armed robbers.

He stated that when his men stormed their hideout, the gunmen opened fire on the police.

Katsina added that his officers over-powered the gun men,while one of them was shot dead during the operation.

Also, the state police boss confirmed that the police recovered one Baretta Pistol among other deadly weapons and ammunition from the gunmen.

Meanwhile, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, has urged residents of the area to stay at home on Sunday and observe their prayer because of the prevailing precarious security situation in the area.

In a communique by the Ebira Area Traditional Council, after a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, Ibrahim enjoined Muslims to observe the Eid-el-Fitr congregational prayers in private places.

He appealed to them to pray for the restoration of peace and for improved security in the area.

Ibrahim disclosed that royal fathers in the area assisted in the arrest of seven people in connection with killings in Okengwen, in Okehi local government, adding that the suspects had been handed over to the police.

Meanwhile, despite the military operation to flush out armed gangs from the hills of Plateau, gunmen on Friday killed three Fulani herdsmen in Sho in Barakin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

Five herdsmen were ambushed by the attackers; who killed two of the deceased on the spot, while the third victim died in a hospital.

One of the victims of the attack is on admission at Sunnah Hospital in Barakin Ladi, while the fifth person escaped.

The National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders Association, Mr. Sale Bayeri, told our correspondent that the victims were returning home when they were attacked.

“Those that died on the spot were Yero Goma and Wada Usma, while Mokaka Mogoggo died on Saturday. The only survivor, Ahmadu Usman, said the attackers were Berom”.

Confirming the incident, the media officer of the Task Force, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, said five men were on their way to Sho village when they were ambushed and attacked.

He said that despite the incident, STF was determined to see to the end of the crisis in Jos and appealed to the residents to go about their normal duties without any fear.