By Scholastica Joseph, Makurdi
A former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue State Council, Mr. Goddy Ikerave, has called on security agencies in the state to fish out those who tried to assassinate him last Thursday, February 3, 2022.
Mr. Ikerave made the call while speaking to journalists in Makurdi on Friday saying he was saved by the mercy of God.
Narrating the incident at the police headquarters in Makurdi, Ikerave, a senatorial aspirant for Benue North-West, disclosed that he was planning a decamping ceremony from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, after 23 years with party.
According to him, it was while traveling to his community, Naka in Gwer West local government area to perfect arrangements for the official decamping coming up on Sunday, February 6, 2022, that he was attacked.
Ikerave, who was still in shock while addressing journalists, said only God saved him as his Hilux vehicle was sprayed with bullets by his attackers.
The former House of Representative member further explained that after his escape, he ran to soldiers along the road who quickly followed to apprehend the attacker but the alleged attackers could not be found.
He urged the police to apprehend the perpetrators and also bring their sponsors to book.
When asked if he suspected anyone or group behind his ordeal, the former NUJ boss fingered his political detractors, saying they feel threatened by his recent support from the people to represent them at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly come 2023.
He explained that it was the turn of Gwer-West local government, where he hails from, to produce the next senator since all other local governments in the zone have been represented.
He assured his supporters that the attempt on his life will not cower him to represent his people who have called him.
Meanwhile, the new state police commissioner, Mr. Wale Abass, has assured Mr Ikerave that investigation was ongoing and that the command was poised to apprehend the culprits and bring them to book.
He further stated that men of the division and other tactical units have also been deployed to ensure his security and that of other Nigerians.
