LOKOJA, Nigeria – Security personnel in Lokoja on Sunday, August 14, 2023, apprehended a 28-year-old individual who was attempting to secretly place ammunition on the campaign convoy of the Kogi State gubernatorial candidate for the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka.
The dramatic incident unfolded around 4 pm at the Goshen Hotel in Ganaja, Lokoja.
A huge crowd had gathered, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Ajaka who was returning from a campaign event in Kogi East.
Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the Director of Communications for the Muritala Yakubu Ajaka Campaign Organisation, detailed the episode in an official statement.
He mentioned, “The accused, identified as Jerry Isaac and hailing from Bassa LGA of the state, was apprehended with two cartons of bullet cartridges. These were cunningly concealed among crates of soft drinks in a tricycle, commonly referred to as Keke NAPEP.”
The statement further noted that the suspect posed as a delivery man supplying items to the hotel.
When plainclothes officers from the Kogi State Police Command’s C Division at the hotel attempted to inspect the items, two other passengers in the tricycle immediately fled, raising further suspicions.
The gathered supporters of Ajaka, upon discovering the hidden ammunition, sought to exact mob justice on Isaac.
However, they were held back by the police officers present.
Isaac was swiftly taken to the C Division Police Station in Gadumo, Lokoja and transferred to the police headquarters for further questioning.
In recent weeks, the Muritala Yakubu Ajaka Campaign has been vocal, cautioning about possible plots to frame its campaign team by adversaries, particularly the current Kogi State administration.
The campaign team urgently calls on the Kogi State Police Command to delve deep into the motives behind the suspect’s actions and provide transparent findings.
The statement concluded, “Our campaign will employ all legal means to ensure that such deceptive tactics are not aimed at our candidate again. We demand a comprehensive and open investigation into this matter and will not settle for anything less.”
