The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello escaped assassination on Sunday, 22 October, 2023 when he was attacked by gunmen dressed in military uniforms, reports thegazellenews.com
According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the incident occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, 22 October, 2023, when the Governor was few kilometers away from Abuja from Lokoja on his way to an official engagement.
“The attacks were at three different points, the last barricade being around Kwali Federal Capital Territory at about 4.20pm,” the statement said.
Below is the full statement from Fanwo:
1. The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the general public that there was an assasination 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 4.20pm.
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.
