The PUNCH reports that the secretary was allegedly attacked on his way to the office to paste copies of the petition said to have been filed on December 2, 2023, when the alleged attack occurred.
The state Commissioner of Police, Bertrand Onuoha, said the order followed an official report of the attack by the secretary and two others at the commands’ headquarters in Lokoja.
A statement by the command Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, reads, “On Monday, December 4, 2023 at about 1820hrs, one Mr David Umar Mike ‘m’ Secretary to Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal along with Labode Apreala (f) Confidential Secretary and Hassimu Adamu Assistant Secretary, came to State Criminal Investigation Department, Kogi State Police Headquarters and reported that on the said date, three of them left their hotel rooms in Lokoja at 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 documents including petitions filed by four parties namely Action Alliance, Action People’s Party, Peoples Redemption Partyand Social Democratic Party, two record books and a bag containing his personal items.
“He claimed to have also reported to the DSS Office. Hence a thorough and diligent investigation into the incident has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command.”
The police spokesman said the command was aware of a series of distorted information on the incident, hence the need to set the records straight.
“The general public is advised to avoid statements that may prejudice an ongoing investigation into the matter.
“The command also appeals to anyone with useful information on the alleged incident to provide the same to the command. The public will be updated as the investigation progresses,” Aya added.
