Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly aspirant for Ankpa II Constituency, Sumaila Muhammed Attah Enjema, popularly known as Echoga, narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, when a suspected gunman reportedly pointed a rifle at him during a stakeholders' meeting at Halims Hotel in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. The tense incident, which has raised fresh concerns about political violence ahead of the 2027 elections, unfolded as party leaders gathered to deliberate on the selection of a consensus candidate for the Assembly seat.
Multiple insider sources who spoke to SaharaReporters revealed that the attack was a meticulously planned operation. According to these accounts, the suspect, identified as “Achiever Bobby,” is alleged to be an aide to a lawmaker. He attempted to take the life of the aspirant at close range just as the meeting progressed. However, a police officer attached to the venue noticed suspicious movements and intervened at a critical moment, preventing what could have been a tragic event. “It was the intervention of the on-duty police officer that saved him. The suspect had already pointed a rifle at Echoga before he was stopped,” one of the sources disclosed.
The development triggered pandemonium at the hotel, as party faithful and attendees scrambled for safety while security operatives took control of the scene. In the immediate aftermath, three suspects were apprehended and taken into police custody in Lokoja. They were identified as Bobby Achiever, Obobo 7 from Anyigba, and Ododo Mohammed from Ankpa. “They are with the police now, and statements are being taken from them,” another source confirmed. Sources also revealed that a search of Bobby Achiever’s vehicle yielded a shocking arsenal: an axe, guns, and cutlasses were allegedly recovered from the car, suggesting the suspects were prepared for extreme violence.
At the time of this report, the exact motive behind the alleged assassination attempt remains unconfirmed. However, preliminary investigations point to rising political tension within the APC over the selection of a consensus candidate for the Ankpa II state constituency seat. Party leaders had convened a consultative meeting to decide on a flagbearer, a process that has often triggered internal rivalries across the country. In Kogi, where political contests are notoriously fierce, such meetings have historically been fraught with intrigue and occasional violence. Sources linked the incident directly to these internal wranglings, suggesting that the attack was aimed at eliminating a key contender to clear the path for a preferred anointed candidate.
The situation has been further complicated by allegations that some members of the APC in Kogi State are attempting to suppress information about the incident. “Some people in APC Kogi are already trying to cover up the matter so it doesn’t bring a bad image to the party, but the truth is already out,” a source alleged. This accusation, if verified, could exacerbate mistrust among party faithful and trigger a crisis of confidence in the party’s ability to conduct peaceful internal processes. The Kogi State Police Command and the APC leadership in the state had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of this filing. Efforts to obtain official confirmation from both the police and party executives were unsuccessful, leaving the public to rely on insider accounts and social media reports.
The failed attempt on Echoga’s life has renewed concerns about the pervasive culture of political thuggery and violence in Kogi State. Over the years, the state has been a hotbed of election-related violence, with incidents ranging from ballot box snatching to armed attacks on opponents and political gatherings. The upcoming elections have already heightened political activities, and this incident serves as a grim reminder of the lengths some individuals may go to secure power. Political observers have warned that if not properly investigated and prosecuted, such incidents could undermine the credibility of the electoral process and discourage genuine aspirants from participating in the democratic process.
The involvement of a suspect alleged to be an aide to a lawmaker is particularly troubling. It raises questions about the potential role of elected officials in orchestrating or facilitating violence to retain or expand political influence. If established, such a connection could have far-reaching implications for the political stability of the state and the integrity of the upcoming primaries. The suspect, Achiever Bobby, along with his cohorts, remains in police custody as of Wednesday. Authorities have yet to confirm whether the alleged mastermind has been identified or whether any lawmaker has been linked to the plot.
The public has reacted with shock and condemnation to the news of the foiled assassination. Many have taken to social media to express relief that Echoga survived and to call for a thorough and transparent investigation. The hashtag #JusticeForEchoga began trending locally, with many urging the police to ensure that all suspects are prosecuted irrespective of their political connections. Human rights groups have also weighed in, demanding that the police release a comprehensive statement detailing the findings of their investigation and the steps being taken to prevent future political assassinations.
The incident at Halims Hotel is a stark reminder of the dark underbelly of Nigerian politics, where political ambitions are sometimes pursued with brute force. For Echoga, the event was a brush with death that could have ended his aspirations permanently. For the APC in Kogi, it is a test of its commitment to internal democracy and the rule of law. As the suspects await their day in court, the political landscape in Ankpa II remains tense, with the stakeholders' meeting adjourned indefinitely. The resounding question on everyone’s lips is whether the police will act decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice or whether political pressure will prevail, allowing the attempted assassination to slide into the abyss of forgotten cases. For now, the people of Kogi watch and wait, hoping that the next consensus meeting will be characterized by dialogue and democracy rather than violence and fear.
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