Sharp-eyed security personnel in Lokoja apprehended a 28-year-old man on Sunday who was caught trying to discreetly place ammunition on the campaign train of Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, the Kogi State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The incident unfolded around 4 pm at Goshen Hotel in Ganaja Lokoja, where a large crowd awaited Ajaka’s return from a campaign event in Kogi East.
According to a statement from the Director of Communications for Muritala Yakubu Ajaka Campaign Organisation, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the suspect, identified as Jerry Isaac from Bassa LGA of the state, was arrested with two cartons of bullet cartridges hidden among crates of beverages in a tricycle (Keke NAPEP). The suspect posed as a delivery person making supplies to the hotel.
When plainclothes policemen from the C Division of the Kogi State Police Command stationed at the hotel decided to search the items, two other passengers in the tricycle fled the scene. Upon discovering the ammunition, supporters who were waiting for Ajaka considered taking matters into their own hands, but the police intervened.
The suspect was taken to the C Division Police Station at 200 Units Housing Estate, Gadumo Lokoja, and was later transferred to the police headquarters.
The Muritala Yakubu Ajaka Campaign had previously raised concerns about alleged plans by the Kogi State Government, under the current administration, to plant incriminating evidence on their campaign train.
The campaign is urging the Kogi State Command to thoroughly investigate the intentions of the suspect. It emphasizes its determination to legally address any attempts to undermine their candidate’s campaign, demanding a transparent and comprehensive inquiry into the incident.