- The attack occurred at about 4 p.m. 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
The Kogi State Government, on Sunday, said that there was an assassination attempt on the state governor, Yahaya Bello, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on his way to an official engagement from Lokoja, the state capital.
According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo, it stated that the attack occurred at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
According to him, “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.”
He said that the attacks were at three different points, the last barricade being around Kwali Federal Capital Territory at about 4.20 p.m.
“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,” he added.
According to him, “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.”
He called 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,” he stated.