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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has dismissed reports of assassination attempt on his life, which was widely reported in the media, on Sunday.
Recall that the Commissioner of Information in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo, had raised an alarm that the governor’s convoy was attacked en route to Abuja, on Sunday evening, describing it as an assassination attempt.
But in an interview with pressmen at his Abuja residence on Sunday night, Bello stated that there was no attempt whatsoever on his life.
He described the incident as a minor disagreement between the security details attached to him and some military personnel providing security on the road.
The governor clarified that while there was a minor fracas between men of the Nigeria Police Force 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.
Bello, who commended the security agencies for their joint contributions to the improved security of lives and property enjoyed by the citizens of Kogi State, however, called on the authorities of the agencies involved to investigate overzealousness or unprofessional conduct by any of their men involved in the incident and apply the necessary sanctions.
He called on citizens of Kogi State to ignore any attempt by political profiteers to use the incident to unsettle the polity as the state’s 2023 governorship election slated for November 11 draw nearer.
The governor assured residents of the state of his safety and adequate security arrangements to ensure the elections are peaceful, free and fair.