The wave of political killings in Kogi State continued on Saturday as gunmen suspected to be political thugs shot dead a supporter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
The victim identified as Monday Oboni Ogboho, a native of Ajiolo Ojaji in Dekina LGA was said to be a strong supporter of Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, the SDP governorship candidate in the just concluded Kogi election.
The incident occurred on Saturday, according to an eyewitness.
The Advocate learnt that the house of the deceased was vandalized by some hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Dekina Local Government late Friday night.
While carrying out the act, the hoodlums who were said to be armed with guns and machetes, were said to have threatened to deal with him (Monday) and his family members if they dared to report the attack to law enforcement agents.
“It was a terrible experience for us that Friday night as the thugs stormed the Monday’s house at Ajiolo Ojaji shouting and destroying the building as they were threatening that all those who supported Muri (the SDP guber candidate) will not know peace in Dekina. Some people were beaten up in the premises that night and we could not sleep throughout. Monday’s only offence is that he and his family members identified with Muri,” one of his relations, who preferred anonymity, narrated.
According to him, Monday attempted to report his ordeal to Kogi State Vigilante Service, KSVS Commander but on sighting him on a motorcycle at Ajiolo Ojaji, the gunmen shot him dead.
“He made a mistake of his life by attempting to report the incident in his house the previous night to the vigilante service. Right in the full glare of the public, the gunmen, who are not unknown, suddenly appeared and shot at him at close range.
“He was left at the spot bleeding until he gave up the ghost as those who could have come to his aid fled for fear of being attacked by the gunmen.”
Dekina Local Government Area had witnessed several politically-motivated killings during the gubernatorial campaigns and as gathered no significant arrest was made by the security agencies, thus emboldening the armed thugs to carry out their nefarious activities unhindered.
The area had been under serious tension even after the November 11 election as some young men allegedly armed for the election have reportedly continued to threaten political opponents.
Efforts by our reporter to speak with the State Police Spokesman, SP William Ovye Aya, on the development at the weekend were unsuccessful as his mobile phone could not be reached.
The Advocate, however, gathered that a formal report of the incident was reportedly lodged at the Dekina Police Division by the SDP and members of the deceased’s family.
