The familiar song of gun-politics in Kogi state reverberated on Sunday as the State governor, Yahaya Bello felt victim of gunmen attack on his way to Abuja.
In what could be interpreted as clearly an antithesis to the governor’s victory song in 2019 - “If they no gree, them go hear sound, dem go hear am. Tah tah tah tah tah” – he was the victim.
There was no report of casualties.
Yahaya Bello’s convoy according to the account was attacked around 4pm by gunmen, who dressed in military uniforms when he was close to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
A statement on Sunday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the assassination attempt on Governor Bello took place a few kilometres away from Abuja.
He was said to be on his way to an official engagement in Abuja from Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
Fanwo said: “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.
“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.”
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it has commenced an investigation into the alleged attack on the Governor,
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, in response to inquiries by newsmen Sunday night said We’re investigating”
But the Defence Headquarters has denied that its personnel attacked the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, on Sunday saying it was the handiwork of some hoodlums.
Dispelling the claim, the Director, Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, in an interview with a Punch correspondent via phone said Bello’s attackers were criminals clad in fake military uniforms.
Gusau urged the police to investigate the matter and ensure that the culprits were brought to book.
He said, “The attack is unfortunate and we are not happy with what happened. However, the governor did not say it was the military that attacked him. Military personnel will never attack the governor. He said his attackers were in military uniforms. His attackers are criminals. We urged the police to investigate the matter and unravel the circumstances and those involved in the attack.”
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