Kogi bomb explosion: PDP commends DSS for arrest of masterminds, faults Bello’s Security Adviser

Following arrest of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) Commander and one other member by the Department of State Service, the Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has commended the secret police for their prompt action, before it got late.

CAPITAL POST reported that there was a bomb blast at the palace of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland that destroyed valuables on the day President Muhammadu Buhari visited the State for projects commissioning which he was expected to visit Okene in the Central Senatorial District.

Buhari’s visit to Kogi on the 29th December, 2022 was visited with bomb blast which may have been targeted at him, but was still in Lokoja, the State capital at the time the bomb went off.
The PDP PCC noted that the DSS were working in conjunction with the Police before the arrest of the bombers, hence, they deserved to be commended.

In a statement issued and signed by Director General of the Kogi Campaign Council, Arch. Yomi Awoniyi, the PCC said it is glad to note that the DSS had also assured all, of its determination to work assiduously with stakeholders to tackle the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminality including threats to national security.

The arrest of bombers was contrary to a statement by the Security Adviser to Kogi State governor, Jerry Omodara, saying that the bomb explosion was orchestrated by the political opponents of Yahaya Bello’s administration.

Omodara had earlier said: “The bomb blast was carried out by disgruntled politicians who were enemies of progress in the state.”

Reacting to the statement which was made available to journalists in Lokoja, the PDP PCC said, “the arrested persons, one Abdulmumin Ibrahim Otaru (aka Abu Mikdad) and his associate, Saidu Suleiman, are said to be members of the high command of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) – a group that is not believed to be affiliated with any politician in Kogi State.

“As good citizens, members of the PDP will continue to support law enforcement agencies to achieve peace in Kogi State.

“At this juncture, the Kogi PCC appeals to the DSS and the Nigeria Police not to relent in their efforts to ensure that Kogi State remains safe. This appeal is more poignant today as Kogi PDP will be hosting thousands of party faithful and supporters in Lokoja on the 14th of January 2023 for its Presidential Campaign Rally.

“As the elections are fast approaching, it is worth mentioning that opposition politicians should not be harassed, victimised or arrested on trumped-up charges, simply to take them out of circulation or suffer worse fate.
“This is against the avowed position of Mr. President, who, as part of his legacy, is working very hard to bequeath a credible electioneering process to Nigerians.

“Kogi State should be made safe, devoid of gratuitous violence unlike what was experienced during the last round of general elections in 2019, during which massive violence was deployed to disenfranchise innocent and lawful citizens of the State.

“We remain committed to peaceful political campaigns and elections in the State”.