Recently, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has denied reports that there was an assassination attempt on him by gunmen dressed in military uniforms on Sunday.
The governor made the denial on Sunday while addressing journalists in Abuja.
Recalling that Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, in a statement on Sunday, alleged assassination attempt on the governor.
The commissioner claimed that the attack was carried out by gunmen dressed in military uniforms, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on the governor’s way to an official engagement from Lokoja, at about 4pm on Sunday.
But addressing journalists later in the day, Yahaya Bello said the claim was incorrect.
According to him, what happened was a minor disagreement between the security details attached to him and some military personnel providing security on the road.
He stated that there was no attempt or whatsoever on his life.
The governor said while there was a minor fracas between men of the Nigerian 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.
The governor 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 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 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 elections slated for November 11 draw nearer.
He assured the state of both his safety and the adequacy of security arrangements to ensure that the elections were peaceful, free and fair.