MICHEAL AKINOLA
An editor with Daily Post, an online newspaper, Mr. Wale Odunsi, has reportedly missed death by the whiskers Wednesday inside Government House in Lokoja, Kogi as a mobile police personnel attached to the security team of Governor Yahaya Bello threatened to shoot him.
Odunsi, who was in the state to honour an invitation for the rescheduled Kogi State Social Media Summit, holding at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Lokoja, was assaulted by the security detail but escaped being shot at by fate.
Narrating his ordeal to newsmen, Odunsi said it was divine intervention that saved him from being killed.
His words, “When I got to the Kogi Government House in Lokoja, I called the special assistant to the Governor on New Media, Joel Odaudu Minister, that I was on my way to the Government House. When I got there and as I walked towards the gate directly opposite entrance of the governor’s wife office entrance, one of the protocol officers wearing White native charged towards me in an unruly manner.
“He queried why I was trying to barge into the premises. So I cautioned him saying ‘Oga, you didn’t have to shout at me like that. I was only looking for who to ask for direction’. Apparently, he was infuriated by my guts. He then dragged and pushed me away. Within seconds, a mobile policeman got up and slapped me. He also used abusive words and warned me to move away. But I kept asking what I did to warrant such crude treatment.
“At this point, the protocol officer and two other mobile policemen were taking turns to hit me on the chest while pushing me backwards; and one slapped me the second time.
“I calmly walked some meters away and called Joel, the governor’s aide. And as soon as he came, the security officials cornered him and were trying to change the story. I hurriedly strolled to where they were and insisted to know why I was assaulted. By this time, one of the policemen, I believe, is superior and another man wearing a blue safari suit and white T-shirt warned me to leave the area of face the further dire consequences.
“From the look, the policeman’s eyes were red as if thirsty for blood. He kept screaming that he will punish me mercilessly. So I called his name out, Iliya Ali: I told him to his face that I will report the incident to appropriate authority.
“On hearing that I called his name, he reached for his holster and attempted to bring out his gun. He said: ‘I will show you. If na your mama, your papa or any other person you wan report me to give me name’.
“He also asked the Governor’s aide to leave the scene so he can deal with me. All the while, he was trying to bring out his gun while the governor’s aide was asking him to calm down.
“I sensed he might make real his threat so I stopped another Okada and left the scene. I later spoke to the Force spokesman, (Moshood Jimoh) who sent to me Kogi Commissioner of Police’s number. I tried to reach the CP but wasn’t successful. So I sent him short message and left the state before my time is cut short,” he summed.
P.M.EXPRESS could not reach any of the governor’s aides for comment on the incident.
Only three weeks ago, Channels Television correspondent, Segun Salami was reportedly beaten up, dragged on the floor and locked up in the Government House cell.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Social Media Summit held Wednesday October 11 and closes Thursday October 12 and those invited were also scheduled to meet with Governor Yahaya Bello.