How Senator Echocho Escaped Being Lynched By Thugs At Government House, Lokoja

Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho, representing Kogi East at the National Assembly, narrowly escaped being lynched by political thugs at Government House in Lokoja on Tuesday, January, 9, 2024.

Echocho said that but, for the police officers and men at the Government House that quickly rescued him, it would have ended in a sad story that would have been difficult to explain, adding that the ugly incident took place immediately after a meeting he had with Governor Yahaya Bello outside his office.

Echocho further said that he was in the company of Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) and other All Progressives Congress (APC) federal lawmakers from the state that went to pay homage to Governor Bello after the festive season.

In the words of Echcho; “The thugs singled me out of the other legislators and pounced on me, saying that I was responsible for APC’s poor performance in the last governorship election in Kogi East senatorial district.

“To my surprise the thugs brought out knives and other dangerous weapon to attack me but police officers around were able to rescue me inside my vehicle and we zoomed off. I thank God I didn’t suffer any injury. The police were able to provide sufficient security.

“The attackers also blamed me for not working for the success of APC in Kogi East during the poll. I thank God that I did not suffer any injury as the police officers present provided me security and I had to quickly return to Abuja.

“We had some brief meeting with the governor, though he expressed dissatisfaction over APC performance in Kogi East (my senatorial district) in the last governorship election.

“I told the governor that I tried all I could to convince my people to vote the APC. I campaigned vigorously for APC in Kogi East but the people were resolute in voting another candidate despite my efforts.

“It is not as if APC performed woefully in the election in Kogi East. There were pockets of LGs and wards that we won. There was no other thing I could have done beyond what I did. We exchanged pleasantries with the governor, took group photograph and left.

“As we were coming out, in front of the governor’s office, the thugs pounced on me, that I was responsible for APC’s failure in Kogi East.

“The governor has spoken with me after the attack, and he assured that the thugs would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law, but I told him not to worry since I’m safe,” he said.