The Kogi State government has given its own account of the politically motivated violence in which convoy of Gov. Yahaya Bello and the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Yakubu Muritala Ajaka’s partook.
The Saturday’s gun-duel between both convoys erupted on Lokoja-Abuja highway, with injuries said to have been recorded.
Bello was returning from Abuja when his convoy had a gun-match with that of Ajaka who was returning to Lokoja from a visit to the paramount ruler of Kotonkarfei community, Ohimege Igu, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto at Navy quarters area.
It reportedly resulted in both camps suffering casualties of no death strain.
A statement by Kogi state government signed by Evangelist Kingsley Fanwo said the SDP camp was the aggressor, claiming some persons in the governor’s convoy suffered injuries and hospitalised.
The report in part, “The convoy of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello was blocked and attacked by people believed to be supporters of Alh. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka at about 12.30 hours today.
“The attack took place near the Naval Base, few kilometres from Lokoja where the convoy of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, having sighted that of the Governor, blocked the road and some of his armed thugs started shooting sporadically at the convoy of the governor.
“Tundra branded with the logo of the SDP and with SDP flags also blocked the governor’s vehicle and occupants of the SDP branded Tundra were armed with rifles and short guns.
“The governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic as the Governor is in high spirit.”
