An APC House of Assembly aspirant for Ankpa II Constituency in Kogi State, Sumaila Muhammed Attah Enjema, popularly known as Echoga, narrowly escaped what appeared to be an assassination attempt on Tuesday.
The incident happened at Halims Hotel in Lokoja, where party stakeholders had gathered to agree on a consensus candidate ahead of the Assembly election.
According to reports, a suspected gunman identified as “Achiever Bobby,” said to be an aide to a lawmaker, allegedly attempted to shoot the aspirant at close range. The situation, however, was brought under control by a police officer stationed at the venue, who noticed suspicious movements and intervened just in time.
“It was the intervention of the police officer on duty that saved him. The suspect had already pointed a rifle at Echoga before he was stopped,” a source disclosed.
The development caused panic at the meeting, with attendees scrambling for safety as security operatives quickly stepped in to restore order.
Three suspects were reportedly arrested at the scene. They were identified as Bobby Achiever, Obobo 7 from Anyigba, and Ododo Mohammed from Ankpa. They are currently in police custody in Lokoja, where investigations are ongoing.
Sources said weapons, including a rifle, an axe, and cutlasses, were recovered from the suspect’s vehicle during a search.
While the motive behind the attack has not been officially confirmed, it is believed to be connected to rising tensions within the APC over the selection of a consensus candidate for the Ankpa II seat.
There are also claims that some party members may be trying to downplay the incident to avoid negative publicity, although details of the event have already begun to circulate.
