Supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC), on Friday, reportedly clashed during a campaign rally in Koton-Karfi area of Kogi.
It was reliably gathered that some of the supporters of the party attacked one another with dangerous weapons during the rally.
According to an eyewitness account, the governorship candidate of the SDP, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka took his campaign rally to Koton-Karfi ahead of November 11 governorship election.
However, during the rally, crisis started when the supporters of the SDP and the APC allegedly attacked each other and destroyed vehicles and many people were also injured.
The Koton Karfe Peace initiatives have also condemned the shooting of a member of the All Progressives Congress in Koton Karfe.
A woman was reportedly killed during the campaign rally.
Meanwhile, Director Communications, Mr Faruk Adejo for Muritala Yakubu Ajaka Gubernatorial Campaign Organization, Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a statement issued alleged that Security personnel protecting The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Governorship Candidate in Kogi, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka on Friday, successfully repelled gun attacks by political thugs in the State.
He mentioned that several supporters of Ajaka sustained bullet wounds after the attack, which occurred on his way from a rally to the town’s Central Mosque for his Jumat Prayers.
His words, “In continuation of his campaign of violence and intimidation thugs had earlier opened fire at the rally venue at about 10:30 am when supporters began gathering ahead of Ajaka’s arrival to flag off the event at 1:00 pm.
“The rally was already underway when thugs with sophisticated assault Rifles arrived and started shooting sporadically.
“Party supporters scampered in different directions while the fiery thugs descended on the event equipment namely podium, canopies, chairs, Public Address Systems.
“They fired bullets into the giant speakers, smashed several hundreds of chairs and canopies, and then sustained the gun fire for over 15 minutes,” he said.
Ajaka, who arrived at the venue about 2 hours later, praised supporters and party faithful who bravely returned to the venue despite the attack on hearing the approach of his siren.
He condemned the attack and urged the supporters not to be intimidated.
He mentioned that it was while leaving the rally venue with supporters escorting his motorcade to Jumat Prayers that they ran into a barricade on the road.
He disclosed further that the Murtala Yakubu Ajaka Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation has formally reported the attack to the Kogi office of DSS and the State Police Command.
In a swift reaction, the Coordinator of the Koton Karfe Peace initiatives, Iliyasu Jato while speaking on the issue said a lady whose name is still unknown, was in an APC programme when the thugs allegedly shot her.
“Today’s action is glaring.
“Until we begin to go after the aggressors and those causing violence, we may be chasing shadows.
“I call on the security agencies to fish out those who caused today’s attack.
“Is this how they want to come and govern the State? We expected them to come with superior campaign promises, but this is not the case,” he stated.
Iliyasu called on the security agencies to beam their searchlight in the direction of the incessant attacks in the State.
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