•Policemen
At least two persons were killed and several others injured following a violent clash between soldiers and participants in the ongoing Echane Masquerade Festival in Ogaminana, headquarters of Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident, which occurred yesterday, has prompted the Kogi State Government to suspend the festival across Ebiraland over security concerns, reports Vanguard.
Sources told our correspondent that trouble began when two soldiers, reportedly dressed in mufti, were allegedly assaulted by some masqueraders participating in the traditional festival procession.
An eyewitness said the soldiers later mobilised their colleagues and returned to the area.
“Two soldiers who were not in uniform were beaten by a masquerade. They went back and mobilised their colleagues to the area. On their return, they started shooting sporadically, which led to chaos. Residents also responded by pelting stones at the soldiers,” the source said.
The situation reportedly escalated as the soldiers allegedly opened fire in different directions, resulting in casualties and injuries.
One of the victims was identified as a Point of Sale (POS) operator, simply known as Omeiza, who was reportedly inside his kiosk when he was struck by a stray bullet. He was later confirmed dead.
Another victim was said to have sustained gunshot wounds while sitting inside his residence and died shortly after being rushed to hospital.
A separate eyewitness account alleged that the clash was triggered when some off-duty soldiers who had returned home to celebrate the festival reacted to reports that their colleagues had been beaten by masqueraders in the Inorere area of Ogaminana.
According to the source, efforts by the Adavi Peace Committee and the local cultural union to calm tensions and appease the aggrieved soldiers were unsuccessful.
“Despite immediate intervention by community leaders and stakeholders, all mediation efforts failed. The soldiers allegedly called for reinforcements from their operational base in Okene. Upon arrival, the responding troops began firing sporadically into the air,” the source said.
The witness added that the shooting left innocent bystanders dead and several others with varying degrees of injuries.
Concerned residents have called on the Kogi State Government and security agencies to investigate the incident and prevent further escalation of violence in the area.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Oyiza Saliu, neither answered calls nor responded to text messages seeking comment.
Kogi Suspends Echane Festival
Following the incident, the Kogi State Government announced the immediate suspension of the ongoing Echane Festival across Ebiraland.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government said credible intelligence reports indicated that activities associated with the festival posed a threat to public peace and security and could lead to a breakdown of law and order in parts of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
While acknowledging the cultural significance of traditional festivals, the government stressed that the protection of lives and property remains its primary responsibility.
The statement said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed the immediate suspension of the festival in the interest of maintaining peace and public safety.
The governor also ordered security agencies in the state to ensure strict compliance with the directive, warning that individuals or groups found organising, participating in, or promoting activities related to the suspended festival would face sanctions in accordance with the law.
The government appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and residents to cooperate with security agencies in sustaining peace and stability across the affected communities.
It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and pledged to continue taking proactive measures to preserve peace and harmony in the state.
