Kogi Governor visits Church, victims of Okene attack

Governor Idris Wada

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi on Tuesday visited the Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi, where at least 16 worshippers, including the church pastor, were killed by gunmen on Monday during a Bible study.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Katsina, who conducted the governor round, said that two attackers arrived at the church on foot at about 7. 30 p.m and switched off the power before opening fire on worshippers.
At the General Hospital, Okene where nine of the 17 injured victims are being treated, one of the victims, Lawal Yusuf Itokpa, said worshippers were taken by surprise.
Another victim, Samuel Ayodele, said he lost his wife and a child.
While commiserating with the church, Mr. Wada said the congregation should not be discouraged.

“Kogi State will pay the medical bills of the victims,” he said.
The governor also visited the traditional ruler of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim, where he expressed the concern over the degenerating security situation in his domain.
He urged traditional rulers and other eminent citizens of the area to rise to the challenge.
He said that the state government would introduce new security measures to curtail the situation.