Residents of Ogane-Inigu community in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State have sent a safe-our-souls (SOS) appeal to the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, over incessant attacks and killings by gunmen.
The community alleged that most of the gunmen attacking them recently could be those who were fleeing neighbouring Benue and Nasarawa states and must have built camps in the forest around the community.
“This has left several hundred residents displaced, rendering them homeless and seeking refuge in other villages.
“The most recent attack on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, was particularly devastating as scores of houses were burned down and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed,” a source said.
The source told The Guardian on the phone that the situation in Ogane-Inigu is dire, with the people facing not only the trauma of displacement but also the threat of hunger as they are unable to access their farms and livelihoods.
Dr. A. P. Onuh, the Executive Chairman of Ogane-Inigu Youth for Peace and Development Foundation, has appealed to the state government for immediate intervention.
Dr Onuh said, “It is heart-wrenching to see the residents of Ogane-Inigu, who were once a thriving and peaceful community, now reduced to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their land.
“The constant fear of attacks has left the community in a state of distress, hindering farming and other commercial activities. We urgently need the government’s assistance to restore peace and normalcy.
“As our community reels from this tragedy, we look to His Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, for support. We urge the governor to mobilise security operatives into the area to restore peace and prevent further bloodshed.
“It is also crucial for the government to constitute a high-power fact-finding committee to investigate the incessant attacks and find a lasting solution to the herdsmen’s aggression in the community.
“Additionally, we also call on the state government to direct emergency response teams to provide relief efforts to the community IDPs. These immediate interventions will bring much-needed relief to the affected residents and help them rebuild their lives.
“The people of Oganenigu have been crying out for help, and it is time for the government to take swift and decisive action. We implore Governor Ododo to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the safety and security of his people. Let us not forget that the ultimate goal is for Kogi State to succeed, and for Ogane-Inugu to be safe and peaceful once again.”
