Bello also said he only heard about the assassination attempt on his life on social media
By Kehinde Okeowo
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has denied claims by one of his commissioners that some people in military uniforms attempted to assassinate him.
TheNiche had earlier reported that Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo via a statement alleged that Gov Bello, on Sunday, escaped an assassination attempt a few kilometres away from Abuja, while on his way to an official engagement from Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
According to him the attack which was carried out by men dressed in “military uniforms” occurred at 4pm.
The commissioner further claimed that the gunmen shot sporadically at Bello’s convoy and that it took the swift intervention of security personnel attached to the governor to foil the plans of the gunmen.
Fanwo also stressed that the attacks were at three different points, with the last barricade being around Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory.
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However, while addressing reporters at his residence in Abuja recently, Bello countered his Commissioner’s claims.
In his words, contrary to what was reported, what transpired was not an assassination attempt on his life but a fracas involving his security escorts and other security operatives at a checkpoint on the road.
He went on to confirm that the fracas was later amicably resolved.
Speaking to newsmen, Bello said: “This afternoon at about 14:00hours, I took off from Lokoja coming to Abuja and the journey was smooth along with the convoy and just about 16:00 hours, my convoy, especially the security, had an encounter with another sister agency and there was a fracas.
“Immediately, we waded in and it was resolved. From there, we had a smooth journey down to Abuja and ever since I came, I’ve been engaging in all the activities that brought me to Abuja and it’s been very smooth.
“Thereafter, I began to hear on social media about assassination attempt. I want to state categorically very clearly, dear Nigerians, there was no assassination attempt on me Yahaya Bello, the executive governor of Kogi State by the military or by anybody.”
