Hoodlums Believed To Be Supporters Of Muri Ajaka Blocked, Attacked Gov. Bello’s Convoy – Information Commissioner

– Kogi State Government-Sponsored Thugs Attack SDP Gov’ship Candidate, Members – SDP Director Of Communications
By: Abubakar S:H
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Femi Fanwo has said the Convoy of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh Yahaya Bello was blocked and attacked by people believed to be SDP supporters of Alh. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka
In a press statement issued by the Commissioner of Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo said the attack on the governor took place near the Naval Base, few kilometres from Lokoja where the convoy of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, sighted that of the Governor and blocked the road while some of his armed thugs started shooting sporadically at the convoy of the Governor.
According to him, ” a ‘Tundra’ branded vehicle with the logo of the SDP and with SDP flags also blocked the Governor’s vehicle and occupants were armed with Rifles and short guns. On noticing the strange happening, the Governor left the scene unscathed immediately”.
The statement further said security aides and other aides attached to the Governor sustained some degrees of injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
He however urge the people of Kogi State to remain calm as security agents are in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack, while he assured that the State Government will ensure that law and order are maintained as the attackers will be brought to justice.
The Governor appealed to all APC member not to involve in any reprisal attack as insecurity from any quarter will be met with stiff penalties,he said.
Similarly, The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka also alleged that it was the Governor’s convoy that attack him and members.
In a press statement issued by the Director of Communication, Faruk Adejoh-Audu stated that the Governorship candidate of SDP, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka narrowly escaped assassination attempt when his motorcade was allegedly attacked by gunmen personally led by Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
He said ” the assault was heralded by a Mercrdes Benz Limousine with Bellos official crest accompanied by an open pick-up loaded with masked and hooded men bearing AK 47 Assault Rifles” .
Our entourage was attacked on our way from koton-karfe to Lokoja , by thugs sponsored by the APC and the state governor. Many of our vehicles were smashed and hitted by bullets during the attack.
According to the statement, ” The men jumped down an began shooting at Ajaka’s car and all other cars in the motorcade. They shot for over 5 minutes at Ajaka’s bullet proof car unprovoked”,
He said Muri Ajaka was on his way to keep an appointment with the acting Maigari of Lokoja, traditional ruler of Lokoja and The Attah Igala in Idah decided to abort the journey and return to Abuja after reporting the incident to the Commander of the Lokoja Naval Base.
The statement highlighted that ” Among the alleged gunmen is one Friday Makama a notorious thug and a former member of the House of Assembly who recently appointed Director General for Fireams Recovery, also identified among the hoodlums accompanying the governor is one Bashir Gegu the commissioner for Solid Minerals who has a gross reputation for thuggery”,he said.
He described the attack as the height of lawlessness, brigandage, and provocation capable of heightening the tension in the state, the SDP candidate and his entourage were attacked by heavily armed thugs.
“We are in a critical time, unfortunately, we found ourselves in this mess. We thought thuggery and hooliganism had become a thing of the past in the state, but it has been resurrected by the APC and state government.
“The Social Democratic Party has been known to be law-abiding, we are a party that strictly works and abides by the law of the state. That is the reason why we decided to embarks on consultations visits to traditional rulers”.
We therefore appeal to the Inspector General of Police, Director General of Department of State Service, and all relevant security to intervene and stop the APC and Governor Yahaya Bello from unlawfully using state apparatus and thugs to attack governorship candidate and members.
” We appeal to the new President of the Federal Republic, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate that his administration will not permit the brigandage of the last eight years which has led to the deaths of thousands of Nigeria”.