At least seven people have been killed following an attack by unidentified gunmen on Okele-Ejule in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The assailants, who were reportedly dressed in military camouflage, stormed the community at about 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and opened fire indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee for safety.
Residents said the death toll could rise, as another body was reportedly recovered from a nearby bush on Sunday morning.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear with conflicting accounts emerging from the community.
While some residents alleged that some of the victims had criminal records, others suggested the attack may have been politically motivated. Others simply described it as another incident involving unidentified gunmen.
According to Daily Trust,a community source claimed that some of those killed had been under investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities in Ejule and surrounding communities.
“Those killed were alleged to be either kidnappers or informants,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said police operatives recovered three male bodies from a bush along the Ochadamu–Umomi Road in Ofu Local Government Area.
“On Saturday, July 4, 2026, at about 4:35 p.m., a report was received of three male corpses discovered in a bush along the Ochadamu–Umomi Road in Ofu Local Government Area,” the police spokesperson said.
She explained that officers, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ofu Division, immediately responded to the scene, where the victims, who had suspected gunshot wounds, were recovered.
The bodies were evacuated to the Grimard Hospital Mortuary in Anyigba for preservation and autopsy, while coroner’s procedures have commenced.
The deceased were identified as Ibrahim Lawal, 30; Ayuba Salisu, 28; and Mudi Magi, 42, all natives of Ejule in Ofu Local Government Area.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the victims were attacked in Ejule before their bodies were dumped along the Ochadamu–Umomi Road.
The command added that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
