Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has contradicted his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, saying there was no attempt on his life by “unknown soldiers.
Fanwo had raised the alarm that the Governor’s convoy was attacked en route to Abuja, on Sunday evening.
But Governor Bello later told journalists in Abuja “there was only a minor fracas between men of the Nigerian Police Force attached to his convoy and those of a military unit manning the highways. It was in the course of both units performing their lawful security duties that the incident happened.”
The Governor commended the security agencies for their joint contributions to the improved security of lives and property, which he claimed has benefited the citizens of Kogi State immensely,
However, he called on the high command of the agencies involved to investigate overzealousness or unprofessional conduct by any of their men involved in the incident and apply the necessary sanctions.”
The Governor therefore urged the citizens of Kogi State to ignore any attempt by political profiteers to use the incident to unsettle the polity as the State’s 2023 governorship elections slated for November 11 draw nearer.”
He assured the State of both his safety and the adequacy of security arrangements to ensure that the elections are peaceful, free and fair.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications had issued a statement alleging that Governor Bello escaped the assassination attempt while on his to an official event in Abuja on Sunday evening when attackers clad in military uniforms ambushed the Governor’s envoy and started shooting at his vehicle.
According to the statement: “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 Lokoka. The attack occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
“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.”
While the attack was reportedly foiled by the quick intervention of the security agents, the commissioner blamed it on the activities of certain people who were trying to display the state as unsafe ahead of the governorship election scheduled for next month.
“It took the swift intervention of the security personnel attached to the Governor to foil the satanic plans of the unknown soldiers. 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.
“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.
“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.”