By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Tragedy occurred on Thursday at Egume Community when unknown Gunmen struck at Royal Garden Relaxation Spot, along Anyigba – Ankpa highway, killing one man, kidnapped three persons from Egume in Dekina Local government area of Kogi state.
Eye witness hinted Daybreak that the gunmen who were dressed in Fulani attires stormed the open arena of the Royal Garden where people were relaxing and started shooting sporadically as customers scampered for safety in different directions.
It was gathered that the decease was allegedly struggling to escape before he was shot dead, while one of his friends who was sharing the same table with them also received a gun shot and now receiving medical attention in one of the hospitals in the area.
Daybreak reliably gathered that, the hotel manager’s one and half years old boy, a brother of late Anthony Monday and one lady were among those whisked away to unknown destination by kidnappers.
Security sources told journalists that the incident which happened at about 8.30 in the evening, left one Anthony Monday, a cashew dealer From Ate-Iji Anyigba dead, while the lucky ones took to their heels for cover.
Before the arrival of policemen at the scene of the incident, (Royal hotel), the sources said the kidnappers had left the hotel with the victims living late Anthony Monday in his pool of blood.
Barely 12 hours of the incident, it was gathered that the kidnappers started demanding for ransom as the Toddler who was kidnapped along with them was allegedly giving them tough time and sleepless nights with continuous crying.
In his reaction, the national President of Egume Ome Descendants Union, (EODU), Alhaji Muhammed Lawal Ibrahim expressed shock over the ugly incident and appealed to policemen to ensure that perpetrators are apprehended and punished accordingly to serve as deterrent to others.
Ibrahim therefore enjoined the people of Egume to remain calm and go about their normal businesses as efforts are being put in place by the law enforcement agents to protect lives and property in the community.
Confirming the incident, The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji said “I received a report from Egume Division, that three unknown armed men attacked Royal Garden Relaxation Spot shooting sporadically”.
“Immediately, the DPO mobilized operatives to the scene where he met one yet to be identified body lying in pool of his blood. My men moved him to the Hospital where he was confirmed dead. The body was deposited at the hospital for autopsy.”
He advised members of the public to sharpens their power of observation and always report promptly any suspicious movement, objects as well as activities of criminal elements within their neighborhood to the Police or any other security agencies in the State.
Kogi State Command, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji who reiterated the Command’s commitment to guarantee security of lives and property in the State disclosed that he has deployed team of operatives to hunt for the hoodlums and to ensure they are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
