In a disturbing incident, political thugs, suspected to be associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, launched a violent attack on the residence of Sheik Ibrahim Jibrin, the Director-General of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Campaign Council. The assault took place in Anyigba and resulted in the tragic deaths of a police officer, identified as Atabor, and four other individuals.
This shocking event unfolded at approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, as the assailants targeted the director-general’s home. In a deeply distressing turn of events, the attackers forcibly removed the corpse of the slain police officer, Atabor, along with other victims who were believed to be security personnel on duty at the time.
According to a statement by Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the spokesperson for the Muri/Sam Gubernatorial Campaign of the SDP, the perpetrators were described as a “rogue force,” allegedly orchestrated by Governor Yahaya Bello in anticipation of the upcoming governorship election in the state.
Adejoh-Audu explained, “The rogue force made up of thugs led by one Friday Makama officially declared wanted by a Federal High Court, one Supol Ojo of the Lokoja Mopol office, and navy mercenaries led by N.U Akalezi of the Nigerian Navy killed the police guard, officer Atabor at about 6:00 am this morning.”
This horrifying incident transpired over the course of approximately an hour, during which several individuals were wounded, and officer Atabor tragically lost his life. The attack was marked by indiscriminate gunfire and a breach of the Sheikh’s County residence gate to gain access to the compound.
Regrettably, the rogue force fled the scene with the lifeless body of police officer Atabor and an estimated six other individuals, including four policemen who were presumably on official duty.
In addition, concerns were raised about the potential abduction of Comrade I D Ijele, the campaign Head of New Media, who was last in contact at 6:00 a.m. during the attack.
The rogue force, along with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), reportedly remained active in Anyigba at the time the statement was issued.
The Muri/Sam Campaign Council decried the use of such aggressive tactics to undermine the will of the people, especially in Kogi East, which is considered a stronghold of the SDP. The council implored the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take swift action by reassigning the commissioner who appears to be facilitating these violent schemes, in an effort to safeguard free and fair elections in Kogi State.
