Masquerader, Followers Gunned Down In Kogi

A masquerader and three of his followers have been killed in Okene , Kogi State, by yet-to-be identified people.

A Punch correspondent gathered that the killings occurred on Tuesday at Idare district, in the Okene Local Government Area of the state.

According to some eyewitnesses, they were gunned down by two men on a motorcycle during the Eche-Anee festival which is normally celebrated annually by the people of Kogi Central.

One of the eyewitnesses, who pleaded not to be named, told a Punch correspondent that immediately the masquerader and three of his followers were gunned down, other people at the scene took to their heels.


Meanwhile, the state government said it had banned the festival to avoid further tragedy.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, warned that any masquerader, caught on the streets would be arrested, along with its followers and those managing the masquerader.

However, effort to confirm the attack from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. William Aya, proved abortive.

But sources close to the  Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, was on top of the situation.