Kogi SDP Governorship Candidate Escapes Assassination

Murtala Ajaka, the Kogi State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 11 election, has shed light on how he escaped an alleged assassination attempt on his life.

The incident, according to him, took place in Koton Karfe, on his way back from the palace of one of the traditional rulers, where he went to intimate him of his ambition to run for the election.

Ajaka told journalists on Saturday night that the attack was allegedly masterminded and supervised by a top politician who allegedly opened fire on him and his convoy.

He said about seven persons were injured and are receiving treatment in an undisclosed Hospital.

Ajaka said, “My name is Yakubu Murtala Ajaka. I am the governorship candidate of the SDP in Kogi State. I left Abuja this morning for Kogi State to be in consultation with party leaders and some critical stakeholders. We left this (Saturday) morning peacefully but while on the way, I branched to see the Ohimogie of Koto, somebody that I know very well and a close family member. I went to greet him and inform him that I am the candidate for the SDP.

“After about a 30-minute stopover in his palace, I proceeded to Lokoja and 10 minutes after Koton Karfe, I saw the Commissioner of Solid Minerals in the person of Bashir Gebu. And as a known person to me, I stopped to greet him as a familiar face.

“About five minutes after I left them, over two cars overtook my vehicle. They started swerving on the road. I thought that they were my supporters but before I knew what was happening, I started hearing gunshots. About five vehicles were shot with my own vehicle shot at directly. What saved me was because the vehicle I was in was an armoured vehicle.”

He said that, before now, he got a hint that the top politician wanted to assassinate him.

“I met with the former President (Muhammadu Buhari) and complained to him and he asked me to put it in writing which I did. I wrote petitions to the former President, the Director-General of DSS, Inspector-General of Police, and I wrote to the NIA.

“So, what happened today, I’m not too surprised, because it’s what they had planned before now.

“We have reported formally to the Commissioner of Police and I have called the IG to inform him of what happened and he referred me back to the CP. So, my lawyers are in touch with the State Police Command to do the necessary report as expected of us,” Ajaka emphasised.