The Kogi State Government has officially confirmed a series of attempts to assassinate the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, while he was traveling from Lokoja to Abuja.
According to Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Bello’s convoy came under attack on Sunday afternoon as he was en route from Lokoja to Abuja. The attacks occurred at several locations along the journey, with the final one happening not far from Abuja around 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
Fanwo explained that the assailants, dressed in military uniforms, ambushed the Governor’s convoy and opened fire on his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy. Fortunately, the Governor’s security personnel swiftly intervened, thwarting the sinister plans of these unidentified attackers.
These attacks occurred at three separate points, with the last one taking place near Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory at approximately 4:20 pm. Fanwo emphasized that detailed reports of these unusual attacks have been filed with state and national security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and prevent future incidents.
Furthermore, Fanwo pointed out, “We are aware that certain individuals are determined to portray Kogi as an unsafe place in the lead-up to the Governorship Poll scheduled for November 11, 2023. As an administration, we will spare no effort to protect our citizens from security threats caused by desperate politicians who support violence and terrorism. We urge our citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in the area to the appropriate security authorities. Ensuring security is the government’s responsibility, and we want to assure you that the peace we have enjoyed as a state over the past eight years will not be sacrificed for the sake of violent politics.”
The Kogi State Police Command responded to the incident, clarifying that the location of the attack, Kwali, was not within its jurisdiction.