At least five people have been killed in a reprisal attack on three communities in Kupa Kingdom, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, prompting the state government to order the immediate arrest of those behind the violence.

The affected communities—Abugi, Kuchinda and Mikugi—came under attack on Thursday when armed assailants invaded the area, killing residents and escalating tensions.

The Kogi State Government, which confirmed the incident on Friday, said security agencies had been directed to restore order in the affected communities and ensure those responsible for both the initial killing of a herder and the retaliatory attack are brought to justice.

According to the government, the violence began after an unarmed herder was allegedly killed by a member of a local vigilante group who suspected him of cattle rustling. The incident was followed by a reprisal attack by unidentified gunmen, leaving at least five people dead.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described both incidents as criminal acts and said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had ordered a full security response to prevent further violence.

He said the governor directed the arrest of the vigilante member accused of killing the herder, as well as those linked to the reprisal attack, including the leader of the Hybrid Vigilante Group alleged to have coordinated the assault.

“The Kogi State Government condemns in the strongest terms both the killing of the unarmed herder and the subsequent reprisal attack. These are criminal acts that have no place in our society. Anyone found to have participated in either incident, regardless of status or ethnic affiliation, will face the full weight of the law,” Fanwo said.

He appealed to residents to remain peaceful and avoid retaliatory actions, while urging them to support security agencies with useful information to aid investigations and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Fanwo added that the state government was collaborating with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to restore peace and rebuild confidence in the affected communities.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and ensuring that everyone involved in the violence is prosecuted.