Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has appealed for calm after several were killed in communities in Oganenigu Ward of Dekina Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State on Sunday by suspected herdsmen.

In a statement on Monday, Governor Bello appealed for calm over the attacks, describing the “vile and satanic attack as a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Oganenigu who have enjoyed relative peace and security for years”.

Governor Bello disclosed that his administration will continue to force out crisis entrepreneurs from the state and ensure that those involved shall be brought to book under the laws.

The Kogi State Governor assured that his administration is committed to using resources to hunt down criminals and make them pay for their crimes.

Governor Bello described the unexpected development as shocking while assuring that his administration will commit every available resource to hunt down the criminal actors and make them pay, stating that the government will never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in its resolves to rid the state of criminals.

He commiserated with the people in Oganenigu, particularly the family of the slain Oganenigu APC ward chairman, Hon James Adah and others affected by this ugly and unfortunate attack while urging the people to remain calm.

The governor, however, advised the people not to take laws into their hands as security agencies have been swiftly mobilised and deployed to the troubled areas to restore normalcy.

It would be recalled that several people were killed after gunmen on Sunday invaded communities in Oganenigu Ward of Dekina Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.

Authorities suspect that the assailants were herdsmen.

Sources say the invaders stormed the communities shooting sporadically and burning hundreds of houses in the early morning raid.

Many residents are said to have fled the communities in the wake of the assault even as it remains unclear what the reason behind the invasion was.

The Police Command in the state is yet to issue any official statement on the unfortunate incident.