Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Sunday narrowly escaped being assassinated on Lokoja – Abuja road by yet to be identified gunmen.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state Commissioner for information who disclosed this in a statement said the incident happened few kilometres to Abuja at about 4pm.
Fanwo, said Bello was going to Abuja from Lokoja when some assassins dressed in military uniform waylaid the governor’s convoy and opened fire on him.
“The attacks were at three different points, the last barricade being around Kwali , Federal Capital Territory at about 4.20pm.
“The report of these strange attacks has been properly documented at security offices in the state and at the national level for prompt and thorough investigations to avert future occurrences,” Fanwo said.
Full text of the statement issued by Fanwo :
“KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT
PRESS RELEASE
“ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE GOVERNOR
“1. The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the general public that there was an assassination attempt on the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on his way to an official engagement from Lokoja.
“The attack occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
“2. The attackers who were dressed in military uniforms waylaid the Governor’s convoy and started shooting sporadically at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy.
“It took the swift intervention of the security personnel attached to the Governor to foil the satanic plans of the unknown soldiers.
“3. The attacks were at three different points, the last barricade being around Kwali Federal Capital Territory at about 4.20pm.
“4. The report of these strange attacks has been properly documented at security offices in the state and at the national level for prompt and thorough investigations to avert future occurrences.
“5. We are not oblivious of the fact that certain elements are bent on painting Kogi unsafe ahead of the Governorship Poll slated for November 11, 2023.
“As an administration, we will spare nothing to ensure our citizens are not subjected to security threats by desperate politicians sponsoring violence and terrorism.
“6. We call on the citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements in the domain to relevant security agencies.
“It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure security and we want to assure you that the peace we have enjoyed as a state in the last eight years won’t be lost on the altar of violent politics.
“Kingsley Femi Fanwo
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications .”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
