Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello's convoy on Wednesday evening was allegedly attacked in Idah on his way from Ibaji Local Government where he has gone to flag off the construction of the major road leading to the town.
Though he was said to have narrowly escaped being hurt, about three vehicles on his convoy were said to have been badly affected though no casualty was recorded.
An eye witness told the THE AUTHORITY that the blaring noise from his siren of the convoy had attracted the market women and youths who started chanting war songs of "Ole pay workers their salary"
The source added that on his return from Ibaji the mob mounted road block also by the Ega market why they continue their demand for the Governor to pay workers and pensioners their salary.
It was gathered that when his security detail sighted the road block they started shooting sporadically into the air to scare away the mob, the pandemonium that followed made many persons to run for their livess as they scampered for safety.
However the gunshots attracted other youths who came and started throwing stones on the convoy where three vehicles were said to be badly damaged.
Another eye witness said the Governor while on courtesy visit to HRM Atta Igala Michael Ame oboni had promised that on his return he will supervise the demolition of the houses of a resident whose son is a kidnap kingpin.
He said the youths on hearing about the plan, mobilized to block the Governor's convoy hence the attack on his convoy.
The our reporter gathered that after escaping the mob his convoy had to follow a bye pass to escape from the town abandoning his earlier plan to demolish a building as the town was tensed up
In a swift reaction, the Director General on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo described as “blatant falsehood the rumoured attack on the Governor when he visited Kogi East to flag off a major road project and also attend to issues of security of the people in the area.
Fanwo, who flayed the report while fielding questions from journalists at the Government House, Lokoja, described the architects of the falsehood as people “imprisoned in ethnic cage who have sworn not to see anything good in the New Direction Administration of the present administration”.
”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.
“His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello wishes to thank the Attah Igala and his entire subjects for demonstrating to the whole world that the walls of ethnic bias has collapsed. He pledged more development in the area and indeed, the entire state.
Fanwo said the people of the state should remain united against those who are jittery because of their corrupt and fraudulent past, assuring the people that the Governor’s commitment to development, unity and progress is “unimpeachable”.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mr. William Aya denied any knowledge of the incident, saying that he will investigate the matter.-The Authority