Confusion over alleged attack on Bello’s convoy

THERE was confusion in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital and the eastern part of the state, over an alleged attack on the convoy of the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

Sources at Idah, the headquarters of Idah Local Government Area, said the convoy was attacked as the governor was returning from Ibaji.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday evening around Ega Market in Idah.

The governor was said to have stopped over at the palace of the Attah Igala, Michael Idakwo, where he told the traditional ruler that he was in his domain to inaugurate a road at Ibaji and also to demolish a house belonging to the father of a kidnapping kingpin in Idah.

Sources disclosed that the governor’s convoy had passed through the market while going to Ibaji, blaring sirens that drew a crowd, being Ega Market day.

However, after performing the inauguration of the road project at Ibaji, it was learnt that some youths allegedly barricaded the road around the market area.

The development, it was gathered, caught the security in the convoy unawares as they fired gunshots into the air to disperse the youth, who threw pebbles at the convoy as it maneuvered from the scene.

The youth were also said to have shouted at the governor to pay outstanding salaries of workers in the state.

It was also learnt that three of the vehicles in the convoy were damaged in the melee that ensued.

Reacting, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said the report was “false and unfounded.”

Fanwo said the people spreading the news of the attack are people “imprisoned in ethnic cage who have sworn not to see anything good in the New Direction Administration of the present administration.”

The governor’s spokesperson said: “The people of Kogi East are wonderful people who cherish what the Governor is doing to develop the district. Insinuating that they attacked a Governor who has brought development to their domain is an insult to the sensibilities of the good and great people of the district.

“The Governor was given a heroic welcome in Kogi East which is a clear indication that the ethnic campaign by the enemies of the state failed. The promoters of the rumour might have possibly paid some hoodlums to attack the Governor. The Governor was not attacked anywhere. It was a carnival atmosphere everywhere he went in Kogi East.