Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, came dangerously close to losing his life on Saturday when some thugs who were reportedly political thugs blocked and attacked his convoy.
According to a statement by the state’s commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo, the attack at around 12.30 a.m. on Saturday was carried out by individuals thought to be Alhaji Muritala Ajaka’s supporters. Ajaka is the Social Democratic Party’s candidate for governor in the election scheduled for November 11, 2023.
When Muritala Yakubu Ajaka’s convoy spotted the governor’s, it blocked the road and some of his armed thugs began sporadically shooting at the governor’s convoy. The attack happened close to the Naval Base, a few kilometers from Lokoja.
“A Tundra vehicle bearing the SDP logo and party flags also blocked the governor’s vehicle, and its occupants were armed with rifles and shot guns,” the statement continued.
There was no need for concern because the governor was unharmed and in good spirits, according to the statement.
Ajaka has revealed how he reportedly escaped an attempted assassination in the meantime.
On his way home from the palace of one of the traditional rulers, where he had gone to inform him of his intention to run for office, the incident allegedly occurred in Koton Karfi.
Ajaka told reporters on Saturday night that a prominent politician is thought to have planned and directed the attack, and that it was his assistant who allegedly opened fire on him and his convoy.
He claimed that seven people, roughly, were hurt and were being treated in an unnamed hospital.
