• APC, SDP trade words over attacks
The Nigerian Police Force, Kogi State Command has ordered immediate investigation into political violence that erupted in the state leading some members of both the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All progressives Party (APC) sustaining various degrees of injuries.
The clash was said to have occurred between the two political parties in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday.
The Nation learnt that there was gun duel between the rival supporters, leading to the destruction of vehicles while some individuals, including a police officer, sustained bullet injuries.
It was further learnt that those that sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the area.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP William Ovye Aya, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Bethrand Onuoha has ordered an investigation into the incident.
Aya stated that the CP, while condemning the incident, noted that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department has been tasked to commence investigations.
“The CP reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to continue to engage the critical stakeholders in Election Security Management to ensure a secure environment for the electoral process.
“Command is ever determined in providing a level playing ground for all political parties as they embark on campaigns, rallies, and procession among others,” the statement said.
The Police Command also issued warning to troublemakers ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
The CP stressed that the police, alongside other security agencies involved in election security management, will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone caught disrupting the electoral process.
Reacting to the violence, the SDP has accused the APC of sponsoring thugs to evade its rally at Ejule Kogi, Ofu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state chasing away supporters.
Mr. Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the Director, Communications, Muri/Sam SDP Governorship Campaign Council stated this in a statement in Lokoja.
“Earlier at about 9: 30a.m., about two hours before the rally was scheduled to commence, the thugs descended on the St Matthews primary school venue and destroyed the canopies, public address systems, chairs and the podium arranged for the event.
“But SDP leaders in the locality led by Elder Obolo, Rabi Emaiku and Gambo Haruna encouraged supporters to ignore the intimidation and still show up for the rally.
“The moment supporters began trooping to the rally ground, a group led by a motorcade again unleashed the thugs this time shooting sporadically.
“Several persons were injured in the course of the mayhem, while the thugs equally destroyed several vehicles they identify as belonging to SDP supporters,’’ he said.
He added: “This is the second time that an SDP rally will be attacked by identified aides of an opposition party official leading thugs in less than two weeks,” he said.
The SDP campaign director alleged that a similar attack was carried out on an SDP rally in Koton Karfe in Kogi LGA on Sept. 29.
But, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the spokesperson for APC Campaign Council countered, countered and said, it is becoming a stock in trade for the SDP governorship candidate, Muritala Yakubu, to be orchestrating violence in the state with a goal to heat up the polity.
Fanwo, who is also the Commissioner for Information, called on security agencies to immediately invite Yakubu, over concocted lies capable of undermining security efforts in the state.
Fanwo, decried attempts by some politicians to cause violence in Kogi, urged the security agencies to step in and not allow anyone to heat up the polity.
In a statement he signed yesterday, Fanwo said Yakubu’s latest claim of an assassination attempt was desperation taken too far, adding that “in the process of trying to paint a picture of popularity, he has unwittingly exposed himself as a shallow individual surrounded by people with very low intellect.”
Fanwo said the urgent intervention of the security agencies was necessary in view of the lawlessness being displayed by the SDP candidate and his thugs and the propaganda of playing the victim whenever his people commit crimes.
“It is on record that every political party has been having hitch-free campaigns across the state.
“But anytime this obviously dubious character, who knows well within him that he has no chance in the governorship election, is planning a rally, his fellow hooligans and criminal minded cohorts fashion out all sorts of criminal conspiracies to paint the government in bad light. They commit crime and turn around to play the victim after inducing everyone around them with ill-gotten wealth.
“For the record, the Governor of the State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello abhors criminals and criminal activities and has made the state unbearable for them since he assumed office.
“We will not allow these sets of desperate, clueless hooligans to rubbish our gains. The police and other relevant agencies must urgently investigate this latest propaganda and make the enemies of peace face the consequences of their actions to serve as a deterrent to others like them.
“Muritala Yakubu has, in the process of trying to paint a picture of popularity, unwittingly exposed himself as a shallow individual surrounded by people with very low intellect. November 11 is around the corner.
“We assure everyone that there will be no violence. The government owes the people the duty to protect lives and property and that we will do without political considerations.
