The senator representing Kogi East in the National Assembly, Jubrin Isah Echocho has narrated how thugs attacked him inside the Government House, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Narrating how the incident happened in an interview with newsmen, the senator said, “I was attacked by thugs in Government House Lokoja but the police rescued me.
“What happened was that all APC senators and the House of Representatives members from the state visited the governor on a courtesy call for the New Year.
“Being one of them, I was not left out. We went up and we had some brief meeting with the governor, though he expressed dissatisfaction over APC performance in Kogi East (my senatorial district) in the last governorship election.
“I told the governor that I tried all I could to convince my people to vote for the APC. I campaigned vigorously for APC in Kogi East but the people were resolute in voting for another candidate despite my efforts.
“It is not as if APC performed woefully in the election in Kogi East. There were pockets of LGs and wards that we won. There was no other thing I could have done beyond what I did. We exchanged pleasantries with the governor, took a group photograph and left.
“As we were coming out, in front of the Governor’s Office, the thugs pounced on me that I was responsible for APC’s failure in Kogi East.
“To my surprise, they brought out knives and other weapons to attack me but police officers around were able to rescue me inside my vehicle and we zoomed off. I thank God I didn’t suffer any injury. The police were able to provide sufficient security.”
When asked if the governor was aware of the attack, he said: “The governor cannot descend so low and send thugs to attack me.
“The governor spoke with me after the attack, and he assured me that the thugs would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law, but I told him not to worry since I’m safe.”
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has said that six persons have been arrested in connection to the harassment of the Senator.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed.
The statement added that the governor has banned unauthorised persons from accessing the Government House and charged security agencies to investigate the issue thoroughly and ensure that the offenders face the full wrath of the law.