By correspondent.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state.
(c). Vanguard.
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has clarified the incident earlier reported as an assassination attempt on him which was widely reported on the social media.
In a statement sent to The Reporters on Monday in Lokoja, by his Chief Press Secretary,Mohammed Onogwu, Bello said what happened was a minor disagreement between the security details attached to him and some military personnel providing security on the road.
In an interview granted to the press a few moments ago at his residence in Abuja, Governor Bello stated that there was no attempt whatsoever on his life.
He clarified that while there was 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.
The Governor, who commended the security agencies for their joint contributions to the improved security of lives and property enjoyed by the citizens of Kogi State, however, 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 called on 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 were peaceful, free and fair.
Our correspondent recalls that in a statement signed by Kingsley Femi Fanwo,Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, he earlier disclosed that there was an “ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE GOVERNOR”.on Sunday.
The statement reads:
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 4.20p.m.
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.
22nd October, 2023.
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