Following the attack on Senator Echocho, the Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello is said to have ordered the arrest of six people and ordered their prompt prosecution.
Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho (APC, Kogi East) has disclosed that he was attacked by thugs inside the Government House, Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to the lawmaker, who was in the company of Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) and a few other All Progressives Congress (APC) federal lawmakers from the state, they had gone to pay homage to the governor of the state after the festive season.
Echocho disclosed this in a telephone conversation with reporters, stressing that the thugs singled him out from his colleagues, harassed and accused him of being responsible for APC’s failure in the last governorship election in Kogi East senatorial district.
He said, “I was attacked by thugs in Government House Lokoja but the police rescued me. What happened was that all APC senators and the House of Representatives members from the state visited the governor on a courtesy call for the New Year.
“Being one of them, I was not left out. We went up and we had a brief meeting with the governor, though he expressed dissatisfaction over APC performance in Kogi East (my senatorial district) in the last governorship election.
“I told the governor that I tried all I could to convince my people to vote for the APC. I campaigned vigorously for APC in Kogi East but the people were resolute in voting for another candidate despite my efforts.
“It is not as if APC performed woefully in the election in Kogi East. There were pockets of LGs and wards that we won. There was no other thing I could have done beyond what I did. We exchanged pleasantries with the governor, took a group photograph, and left.
“As we were coming out, in front of the Governor’s Office, the thugs pounced on me that I was responsible for APC’s failure in Kogi East.
“To my surprise, they brought out knives and other weapons to attack me but police officers around were able to rescue me inside my vehicle and we zoomed off. I thank God I didn’t suffer any injury. The police were able to provide sufficient security.”
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When asked if the governor was aware of the attack, he said: “The governor cannot descend so low and send thugs to attack me. The governor spoke with me after the attack, and he assured me that the thugs would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law, but I told him not to worry since I’m safe.”
Following this harassment, Yahaya Bello, the state governor, is said to have ordered the arrest of six people.
Along with calling for the prompt prosecution of those responsible, the governor has also prohibited unauthorised individuals from entering the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Muhammed, on Wednesday, stated that shortly after the meeting with the Senators, the governor was shocked to learn of the news of the harassment and swiftly ordered the arrest of the culprits, charging security agencies to investigate the issue thoroughly to ensure the offenders face the full wrath of the law.
According to Muhammed who quoted Governor Bello’s directive, he said, “Information just got to me as I left the office to the residence that one man called Suleiman and others embarrassed Sen Jibrin Echocho in Government House. I’ve directed the CSO to arrest all those involved in such a stupid act and bring them to justice immediately. I will NEVER condone acts of hooliganism and indiscipline.”
STAR Check: Nigerians, particularly, constituents of Kogi West district, can keep tabs on the legislative performance of Sen. Echocho throughout the 10th senate here.
