Gunmen dressed in military uniforms reportedly launched an attack on the convoy of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in an incident described by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, as an assassination attempt.
The attack occurred around 4 pm on Sunday in close proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the Commissioner, Governor Bello was en route to an official engagement in Abuja from the state capital, Lokoja, when the assailants ambushed his convoy, opening fire indiscriminately on his vehicle and others in the convoy. Quick intervention from the governor’s security personnel thwarted the attackers in three different locations, with the last barricade near Kwali, Federal Capital Territory, around 4:20 pm.
The authorities have documented the attacks with the security offices in the state and at the national level to prompt and conduct thorough investigations, aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
The Kogi State government expressed concerns that elements may be attempting to depict the state as unsafe ahead of the Governorship Poll scheduled for November 11, 2023. The government pledged its commitment to ensuring citizens’ safety and urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to relevant security agencies.
In recent years, there have been several incidents of political violence in the state, particularly during election periods. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, recently expressed concerns over political violence in Kogi State, calling on security agencies to enhance their services in the region.
