‘Unknown Soldiers’ Ambush: How Governor Yahaya Bello Survived Assassination Attempt Near Abuja

More details have emerged how Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by unidentified gunmen on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that the assailants, dressed in military uniforms, ambushed the Governor’s convoy near Abuja, according to a press release from the Kogi State Government.

The statement, signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, detailed the harrowing encounter. The attack took place at around 4 p.m. on Sunday as the Governor traveled from Lokoka to an official engagement in Abuja.

The assailants, masquerading as soldiers, opened fire on the convoy, targeting the Governor’s vehicle and others in the entourage. The swift response of the security personnel attached to the Governor thwarted the attempts to harm Bello.

According to the press release, the attackers set up three separate ambush points, with the final encounter occurring near the Kwali Federal Capital Territory at approximately 4.20 p.m.

The statement hinted at political foul play, suggesting that some elements are attempting to destabilize the region ahead of the upcoming Governorship Poll slated for November 11, 2023.

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The statement reads; “The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the general public that there was an assassination attempt on the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on his way to an official engagement from Lokoka.

“The attack occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

“The attackers who were dressed in military uniforms waylaid the Governor’s convoy and started shooting sporadically at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy. It took the swift intervention of the security personnel attached to the Governor to foil the satanic plans of the unknown soldiers.

“The attacks were at three different points, the last barricade being around Kwali Federal Capital Territory at about 4.20pm.

“The report of these strange attacks has been properly documented at security offices in the state and at the national level for prompt and thorough investigations to avert future occurrences.

“We are not oblivious of the fact that certain elements are bent on painting Kogi unsafe ahead of the Governorship Poll slated for November 11, 2023. As an administration, we will spare nothing to ensure our citizens are not subjected to security threats by desperate politicians sponsoring violence and terrorism.

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“We call on the citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements in the domain to relevant security agencies. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure security and we want to assure you that the peace we have enjoyed as a state in the last eight years won’t be lost on the altar of violent politics”.