A violent confrontation between soldiers and participants in the Echane Masquerade Festival in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, has left at least two people dead and several others injured.
The tragedy has prompted the Kogi State Government to announce the immediate suspension of the annual cultural celebration across the Ebiraland traditional zone.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, reportedly began when two soldiers in civilian clothing were allegedly assaulted by masqueraders during a festival procession. Eyewitnesses stated that the soldiers later returned with reinforcements, leading to a heated confrontation that rapidly escalated into violence.
According to residents, the security personnel allegedly opened fire during the melee, causing panic as bystanders scrambled for safety. Some youth in the area reportedly retaliated by pelting the soldiers with stones.
The gunfire claimed the lives of two residents. One victim, identified as Omeiza, a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, was reportedly killed by a stray bullet while inside his kiosk. Another victim was struck by a bullet while sitting inside his home and died shortly after being rushed to a hospital.
A separate account suggested the crisis involved off-duty soldiers who had returned to the community for the festival. They reportedly mobilized colleagues from a nearby operational base in Okene after learning that some of their peers had been manhandled in the Inorere area of Ogaminana.
Despite mediation efforts by the Adavi Peace Committee and local cultural associations, the situation remained volatile throughout the day.
Reacting to the development, the Kogi State Government announced a total suspension of the Echane Festival to prevent further bloodshed.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, cited intelligence reports indicating that the festival had become a threat to public safety.
“While the state government acknowledges the cultural importance of the Echane festival, the lives of our citizens are more “sacrosanct,” Fanwo stated. “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed security agencies to ensure strict compliance with the suspension and to deal decisively with any individual or group found violating this order.”
Efforts to reach the Kogi State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Oyiza Saliu, did not respond to calls or text messages at the time of publication.
Residents have called for a high-level investigation into the military’s conduct, demanding justice for the deceased and measures to prevent a recurrence of such violence during traditional festivities.
