The Defence Headquarters refutes allegations of military involvement in the attack on Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. According to the governor, an assassination attempt took place not far from Abuja as he was en route from Lokoja, the state capital, to an official event.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information, clarified that the assailants, dressed in military attire, ambushed the governor’s convoy, firing indiscriminately at his vehicle and others in the procession. However, some misconceptions arose, suggesting that unidentified soldiers were responsible for the attack.
In a report by PUNCH, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, dismissed these claims. He asserted that Governor Bello’s assailants were criminals masquerading in counterfeit military uniforms. Brig. Gen. Gusau expressed the hope that the police would investigate the incident thoroughly and bring the culprits to justice.
“The attack is regrettable, and we are deeply concerned about what transpired,” he stated. “Nevertheless, the governor did not attribute the attack to the military. Military personnel would never target a governor. He indicated that the attackers wore military uniforms, but they were, in fact, criminals. We call upon the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances and those responsible for the attack.”