Gunmen Rob Tribunal Secretary, Cart Away Kogi Gov’ship Election Petitions

VAM News Update

Gunmen attacked the secretary of the Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal, Mr. David Umar Mike, on Monday and stole sensitive petition documents related to the just concluded gubernatorial election, the Nigerian Police have disclosed.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Aya, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, said the attackers, armed with guns, made away with all the petition documents filed by five political parties.

According to the police, the stolen documents belonged to the Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and included two record books and a bag containing Mr. Mike’s personal belongings.

The attack occurred just before the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office at around 1:20 PM on Monday. Mr. Mike and his colleagues were on their way to the tribunal venue at the state High Court complex in Lokoja when they were targeted.

The police report states that on December 4th, 2023, at around 6:20 PM, Mr. Mike, along with his Confidential Secretary, Ms. Labode Apreala, and Assistant Secretary, Mr. Hassimu Adamu, reported the incident to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

The Police added that he “reported that on the said date, three of them left their Hotel rooms in Lokoja about 1300hrs, heading to their Office at the High Court Complex driving in his (David’s) Peugeot 406 Car.

“That just before the CBN at about 1320hrs, one SUV vehicle which had earlier overtaken him blocked his car with two other SUVs following behind.

“All of them surrounded and blocked him as he attempted to reverse. That he saw about seven hooded men all heavily armed and dressed in black attire who shot severally into the air and dragged him and his two other colleagues out of their car, ransacked the car and made away with all the petition documents.”

SP Aya further stated that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Onuoha Benthrand, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The Police Command has urged the public to avoid making statements that could prejudice the ongoing investigation.