Alleged assassination attempt: Kogi Gov. throws his Information Commissioner under the bus

“The incident that occurred on Lokoja-Abuja Expressway was ‘a mere altercation’ between his security details and some military personnel at a checkpoint on the road”

Contrary to the impression being created by the Information Commissioner, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, that there was an assassination attempt on the governor’s life, the Kogi State Government has disowned him, saying the narrative is untrue.

Gov. Yahaya Bello, in an interview on Sunday evening with newsmen, denied the alleged assassination attempt on his life.

According to Bello, the incident that occurred on Lokoja-Abuja Expressway was “a mere altercation” between his security details and some military personnel at a checkpoint on the road.

Persecondnews had reported Fanwo as saying in a statement that there was an assassination attempt on the governor’s life along the Lokoja-Abuja Road about 4.20.p.m. on Sunday.

Fanwo had claimed that the assassins were in military uniforms during the attack, which was repelled by security men attached to the governor.

Another statement debunking the Commissioner’s claim was released in Lokoja, the state capital by the governor’s media aide, Onogwu Mohammed, and clarified: “What happened along the Lokoja-Abuja road was a minor disagreement between the security details attached to him and some military personnel providing security on the road.”

Corroborating his aide’s clarification, Bello said at his Abuja residence that there was no attempt whatsoever on his life.

He clarified that while there was a minor fracas between men of the Nigerian Police attached to his convoy and those of a military unit manning the highways, it was in the course of both units performing their lawful security duties.

The governor commended the security agencies for their joint contributions to the improved security of lives and property enjoyed by the residents of Kogi.

Bello, however, called on the high command of the agencies involved to investigate overzealousness or unprofessional conduct by any of their men involved in the incident and apply the necessary sanctions.

The governor also called on residents of Kogi to ignore any attempt by political profiteers to use the incident to unsettle the polity as the state’s 2023 governorship elections slated for Nov. 11 drew nearer.

“I assure the people of Kogi State of both my safety and the adequacy of security arrangements to ensure that the November 11 elections are peaceful, free and fair.”