Residents of Obajana Community in Lokoja local government area of Kogi State have appealed to the state government and security agencies to strengthen security in the area.

They said an enhanced policing of the area would prevent future attacks and restore confidence in them.

The call was made barely 24 hours after the Nigeria Police Force foiled an attack on its Divisional Headquarters in Obajana. However, a civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) member was killed.

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The incident, which occurred on Sunday night, caused panic among the residents as sporadic gunfire raged for several hours.

One of the residents, Simon Okechuku, a building materials dealer, said, "We are calling on government and security agencies to strengthen security in the area to prevent future attacks and restore confidence. We are still living in fear.

"It was a night we will never forget in a hurry. The gun duel between the bandits and security forces turned Obajana Community into a battle zone," he said.

Another resident, Salihu Jamiu, an artisan, praised security agencies for repelling the attackers. He, however, said that the community was saddened by the news that a member of the JTF lost his life during the confrontation.

A source claimed that the attackers cut a conveyor belt at the Obajana Cement Plant, which transports coal, adding that the disruption was brief before the damage was repaired.

A police source said the attackers, who came in large numbers, attempted to invade the Obajana Divisional Police Headquarters, but were repelled by officers on the ground.

He said several of the attackers were also neutralised.

When journalists visited the scene, bullet marks were seen on the walls of the police station.

The assistant inspector-general (AIG) of police (Special Operations), Alonyenu Idu, who led other officers to Obajana, told journalists that the coordinated response from his men prevented the attackers from causing any severe damage.