Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, purportedly dodged an assassination attempt on his route to an official engagement from Lokoja, the state capital, on Sunday.
This was contained in a statement released by the state commissioner for information and communication, Kingsley Fanwo, and made available to Lokoja journalists.
The attack occurred at 4 p.m., according to the statement, and the attackers were clothed in “military uniforms.”
He claimed they ambushed governor Bello’s convoy and began shooting at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy irregularly.
According to Fanwo, it took the quick intervention of security professionals assigned to the governor to thwart the gunmen’s plans.
The commissioner emphasised that the attacks occurred at three different locations, with the final barrier being near Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory.
“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.
“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,” the statement said.
The statement urged Kogi inhabitants to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements in the domain to relevant security agencies, adding that the peace enjoyed by the Kogi people over the previous eight years would not be sacrificed on the altar of violent politics.