The Action Alliance Party (AA) has raised alarm over an alleged attack on its members who were returning from a party rally in Kogi State. The incident took place in Eganyi and Geregu villages, located in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area, on the 26th of October.

During a press conference held in Lokoja on Saturday, Comrade Abdulaziz Yusuf, the Zonal Vice Chairman of the Kogi Central Senatorial District for the AA, revealed that the attack was aimed at assassinating him. He further claimed that the perpetrators were suspected political thugs dressed in mobile police uniforms.

According to Comrade Yusuf, the assailants intercepted one of the campaign vehicles, causing it to come to a halt. They proceeded to open fire indiscriminately and forced all occupants out of the vehicle. Describing the harrowing event, he explained, “The thugs dispossessed the occupants of their valuables and demanded to know my whereabouts.”

Recounting the details of the incident, Comrade Yusuf stated, “On the 26th of October 2023, between 12 noon and 5pm, I, along with the Local Government Chairmen, the Director General of our campaign organization, and other party leaders, attended a rally for our governorship candidate, Otunba Olayinka Braimoh, held at Eganyi and Geregu villages. As we were driving back to Okene after the rally, we suddenly noticed that we were being trailed.”

He continued, “At around 5:40pm, just at the Geregu power plant station, a black Prado jeep and a black Ford Hilux loaded with individuals armed with AK-47 rifles intercepted one of our party cars. Some of the occupants of these vehicles were dressed in mobile police uniforms. A thug wearing a mobile police uniform, who we later discovered was the security detail of a Local Government Chairman in Kogi State, began shooting in the air and shouting orders to disarm and shoot us.”

“Our party member in the intercepted car, a Siena bus, was forcibly disembarked and made to lie down on the ground. The thugs then started scrutinizing their faces and inquiring about my whereabouts,” Comrade Yusuf added.

“In a clear attempt to assassinate me, I had fortunately been in another vehicle that had managed to divert when we noticed we were being followed. When they couldn’t find me, the armed thugs began to ransack our supporters who were still lying helplessly on the ground. They engaged in what can only be described as a robbery operation, stealing a total of N60,000 from our supporters,” he explained.

Comrade Yusuf further revealed, “After the incident had ended and many of us were still in shock, we later received reports that the same black Prado jeep with a party logo, which had earlier intercepted us, was seen at the residence of the same Local Government Chairman.”

The AA has reported the matter to the police and is appealing to the Kogi State Police Command to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the culprits to justice. Comrade Yusuf also called on the police to ensure the safety and security of the people of Kogi State before, during, and after the election, in accordance with the promise made by the Inspector General of Police.

As of the time of filing this report, attempts to reach the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, for comment proved unsuccessful. Calls made to his phone went unanswered, and the text messages sent did not elicit a response.