In a harrowing incident, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by unknown gunmen on Sunday, October 22.
The attack took place as the governor was en route to Abuja for an official engagement, just a few kilometres away from the federal capital.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, issued a statement confirming the attack, which occurred at approximately 4 pm. Fanwo revealed that the assailants were disguised in military uniforms.
The statement from the Kogi State Government reads as follows:
“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 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
The attackers, dressed in military uniforms, waylaid the governor’s convoy and began firing shots at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy. It was only the quick response of the security personnel assigned to the governor that thwarted the sinister plans of these unknown assailants.
The attackers staged their assaults at three different locations, with the final barricade occurring around Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory at around 4:20 pm.
Reports of these unusual attacks have been duly filed with security agencies at both the state and national levels, with the hope of launching thorough investigations to prevent future occurrences.
We are not unaware of the efforts of certain individuals who seek to portray Kogi State as unsafe ahead of the governorship poll scheduled for November 11, 2023. As an administration, we are committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens and preventing security threats posed by desperate politicians who sponsor violence and terrorism.
We urge our citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the relevant security agencies. The government takes responsibility for ensuring the safety of our citizens, and we assure you that the peace Kogi State has enjoyed over the last eight years will not be sacrificed on the altar of violent politics.”
The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in the region, especially as the gubernatorial elections draw near. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
