19 dead as unknown gunmen ravage Kogi community

Unknown gunmen have unleashed mayhem on Tawari community in the Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing 19 people and burning several houses.

The act occured in the early hours of Friday while the community slept. The gunmen identified by a resident, Comfort Solomon were about 100.

"The gunmen were up to 100 in number. They came into the community with motorcycles around 11:15 p.m. when villagers were sleeping.

“They entered selected houses, packed foodstuff and motorcycles and burnt selected houses, including homes of clerics, she said.

”They killed more than 15 men. The attackers were communicating with each other in Hausa language,” Solomon stated, weeping profusely," Solomon added.

Solomon confirmed that the gunmen invaded the village and burnt several buildings in the early hours of this morning. She also said that many places of worship, including the palace of the Akuma of Tawari were burnt down by the invaders.

Confirming the attack, king of Tawari, Chief Idris Yusuf noted that this was the first time the village was experiencing such occurrence.

“This is the first time we are witnessing such deadly attack in our community. Our community has been very peaceful," he said.

The Tawari community is a few kilometres off Gegu town along the Lokoja-Abuja highway, MyNigeria gathered.