The governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, escaped unhurt after his convoy was attacked on Saturday along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

The attack, which was announced and confirmed by the Kogi State Government, took place near a Naval Base, some kilometers away from Lokoja, the state capital.

The Kogi Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement in Lokoja, the capital, said no one was killed in the incident. However, the incident left several people including security aides injured.

He noted that they have been taken to the nearest hospital for medical care.

The statement also confirmed that Governor Yahaya Bello left the scene without injuries while adding that there is no cause for alarm.

Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, alleged that the attack was carried out by armed men “suspected to be political thugs of the SDP, having sighted the convoy of Bello approaching, blocked the road and started shooting at the convoy.”

“The gunmen suspected to be political thugs of the SDP, having sighted the convoy of Bello approaching, blocked the road and started shooting at the convoy.

“A Tundra branded with the logo and flags of the party also blocked the governor’s vehicle and the occupants were armed with rifles and short guns. .

“But thank God our governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic.

“Some security aides and other aides attached to the governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for attention.

“We urge the people of Kogi State to remain calm as security agents are in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack. The State Government will ensure that law and order are maintained as the attackers will be brought to justice,” he said.

The attack is not true, says SDP

Meanwhile, the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Kogi State, Muritala Ajaka, has declared that the alleged attack on Governor Yahaya Bello is a lie.

Mr Ajaka’s spokesperson, Kunle Afulayan, noted that his principal was accused because the Kogi State Government and the All Progressives Congress are scared of his viable political credentials ahead of the election.

“Who can attack a sitting governor just like that, who? It’s a lie. It’s just a fallacy. They (the governor’s convoy) attacked us when we were coming to Megeri of Lokoja when they attacked Muri Ajaka,” he said