Yesterday, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when his motorcade was allegedly attacked by gunmen led by the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
As Alhaji Ajaka and his accompanying vehicles were approaching Lokoja, near the ram market around 3:00 PM, two powerbikes and a Toyota Hilux overtook his car and forced it to stop.
The attack was initiated by a Mercedes Benz Limousine bearing Bello’s official crest, accompanied by an open pick-up truck loaded with masked and hooded men armed with AK-47 assault rifles.
The assailants disembarked and began firing at Ajaka’s car and the other vehicles in the motorcade. Unprovoked, they continued shooting at Ajaka’s bulletproof car for over five minutes.
Throughout the incident, Bello’s car was parked a few meters ahead, blocking the road while the gunmen carried out their assault.
When the gunfire finally ceased, Ajaka’s Lexus SUV, despite being bulletproof, sustained extensive damage and became immobilized.
Among the attackers was Friday Makama, a notorious thug and former member of the House of Assembly who was recently appointed as the Director-General for Firearms Recovery by Governor Bello. Additionally, one Bashir Gegu, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, who has a well-known reputation for thuggery, was identified among the hoodlums accompanying the governor.
Mr. Ajaka, who was en route to a scheduled meeting with the Mai Geri, the first-class traditional ruler of Lokoja, and the Attah Igala in Idah, decided to cancel the journey and return to Abuja after consulting with the Commander of the Lokoja Naval Base.
This incident marks yet another display of crude power and brute force by Mr. Yahaya Bello. Throughout his draconian rule of eight years, Bello has been known to unleash guns and gunmen on numerous citizens. Many individuals have lost their lives due to his hoodlums’ actions during election campaigns, while others remain missing.
Ajaka, who was previously a member of the APC, was forcefully ousted from the gubernatorial nomination by Mr. Yahaya Bello, who employed proxies to obtain an injunction from a Lokoja High Court, preventing Ajaka from participating in the primaries.
