The convoy of the Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, was allegedly attacked on Saturday along the Abuja-Lokoja highway by gunmen suspected to be political thugs of an opposition political party in the state, the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The incident, which occurred close to a Naval Base a few kilometers away from Lokoja, injured several people, including security aides. According to Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi Commissioner for Information, who disclosed the events in a statement in Lokoja, the attackers blocked the road, started shooting at the convoy, and even blocked the Governor’s vehicle. Fanwo said that some security aides and other aides attached to the governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for attention.
Although the Governor was unharmed, Fanwo still urged the people of Kogi to remain calm as security agents were in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack. The state government would not allow any breakdown of law and order, but it would do all it could to bring the attackers to justice.
In response, Kunle Afolayo, the Media Aide to the SDP Governorship Candidate, Yakubu Ajaka, denied the allegations. He instead claimed that they were attacked first. Afolayo explained that they were on their way to the Palace of Maigari in Lokoja from Koton Karfe when the Governor’s convoy, heading to Lokoja from Abuja, encountered them on the way and launched an attack. He added that the APC administration in Kogi was using government might against them and spreading lies for a crime they claim the APC committed against them.
The incident has caused tension in Kogi and raised concerns over the security of politicians in the state. However, Governor Yahaya Bello has warned that no APC member should engage in any reprisal attack.
Nigerians are watching closely as investigations continue, and the police have promised to bring the culprits to justice.
