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.

While sources at Idah, the headquarters of Idah local government area said the convoy was attacked as the governor was returning from Ibaji, the state government denied that there was no attack on Bello.

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

However, Tribune Online 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 him he was in his domain to inaugurate a road at Ibaji and also demolish a house belonging to the father of one kidnapping kingpin in Idah.

Sources said the governor’s convoy had passed through the market while going to Ibaji blaring sirens that drew the attention of the people that were gathered since it was Ega market day.

However, after performing the inauguration of the road project in Ibaji and was returning, some youths were said to have blocked the road around the market area.

The development was said to have caught the security in the convoy unawares and they started shooting into the air to disperse the youth and clear the way.

The youth were thereafter said to have started throwing pebbles to the convoy as it maneuvered out of the scene, shouting that the governor should pay salaries of workers in the state.

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

But 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 yesterday in Kogi East.

“He is the Governor of Kogi State and the people of Kogi East have many reasons to support and have confidence in their Governor. The Zone currently has the Deputy Governor, Chief of Staff to the Governor and many Commissioners among others. The Governor was elated by the reception accorded him by the good people of Kogi East.