Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, recently faced a harrowing assassination attempt while en route to an official engagement from Lokoja, just a short distance from Abuja. The shocking incident unfolded around 4 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, sending shockwaves throughout the region.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, the assailants, cloaked in military attire, ambushed Governor Bello’s convoy, opening fire indiscriminately at his vehicle and other vehicles within the convoy. It was only the swift response of the security personnel assigned to the Governor that thwarted the sinister intentions of these unidentified soldiers.
This brazen assault took place at three distinct locations, with the final confrontation unfolding near Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory around 4:20 p.m. The gravity of these unusual attacks has been meticulously documented at both the state and national security levels, ensuring thorough and expedited investigations to prevent any potential reoccurrence.
The state government acknowledges that certain elements aim to portray Kogi as an unsafe place in the lead-up to the Governorship Poll scheduled for November 11, 2023. In response, the administration is resolute in its commitment to safeguarding its citizens against security threats engineered by desperate politicians who endorse violence and terrorism.
The government urges citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the relevant security agencies. The protection of the state is a fundamental responsibility of the government, and it pledges to maintain the peace that Kogi State has enjoyed for the past eight years, even in the face of turbulent political times.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, indicated that the incident occurred in Kwali and not within the territory of Kogi State. As such, he refrained from making any comments on the matter.
