Security aides were reportedly injured on Saturday when gunmen attacked the convoy of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

Kingsley Fanwo, the commissioner of information, said the attack took place near a naval base which is few kilometers from Lokoja, the state capital.

The commissioner said the incident, which occurred around 12.30 pm, left several people, including security aides, injured.

“Thank God our governor left the scene unscathed and there is no cause for panic,” Fanwo said.

“Some security aides and other aides attached to the governor sustained some degrees of injuries and have been rushed to medical facilities for attention.

“We urge the people of Kogi to remain calm as security agents are in full control to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums behind the attack.”

Fanwo said the state government would ensure that masterminds of the attack are brought to book.

Ondo state government today asked Nigerians to ignore the rumour of the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Speculations were rife that the governor who had been indisposed for a while, passed on this morning.

But the state information and Orientation Commissioner, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, in a statement in Akure, made the clarification.

The statement reads “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

“We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.

“Though the Governor has been indisposed, he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary.

“We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.

However, both the Social Democratic Party and the People’s Democratic Party, have raised concerns over the governor’s health.

While the SDP, state chairman, Stephen Adewale kicked against the secrecy of the health conditions of the governor, the spokesperson for the People’s Democratic Party, Kennedy Peretei, said the governor’s whereabouts should not be a secret.

Adewale said that ” There are now serious doubts about Governor Akeredolu’s capacity to continue to govern the Sunshine State as his medical conditions remain shrouded in secrecy.

“It is quite disturbing that the state of the governor’s health has become a topic of state curiosity and concern.

” This situation continues to undermine the ability of the State government to fulfil its obligations and commitments, including those requiring the government to provide economic pathways to millions of people facing absolute poverty and uncertainty in the Sunshine State due to the reckless and insensitive removal of subsidy by the APC-led federal government.

“Ondo SDP call on Arakunrin to respect the good people of Ondo State who have voted for him twice by presenting his medical records to the general public.

“We strongly believe that the good people of Ondo State have the right to know about the medical conditions of Arakunrin Akeredolu.

On it’s part, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement, said that ” those hiding the governor should tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation.

“As mortals, any human being can fall sick. Whether in public office or private life. Rotimi Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State and maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts.

” In 2010, when then-President Umar Yar’Adua was incapacitated due to ill health, Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation and allowing the then Vice-President to take over.

” If for whatever reason, Akeredolu can no longer discharge his official responsibilities, the most reasonable thing to do is to hand over to the Deputy Governor as required by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Our party joins millions of Ondo State people to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should play politics with his ill health.

Peretei added that “Nobody should ground the state beyond its present state. Let Akeredolu resign if he is no longer fit to be governor.

Arik Air says it has removed the CRJ 1000 aircraft from its fleet.

The CRJ 1000 is a twin-engined regional airliner with a capacity of 100 passengers.

In a statement issued on Friday, the airline said the development is due to the decision of JEM Leasing Limited, the owners of the CRJ 1000, and its financiers to sell the aircraft.

The airline said the buyer of the affected aircraft had also decided to tear it down.

Arik Air explained that as the lessee of the aircraft since 2014, it operated the aeroplane under a lease agreement with JEM Leasing Limited.

The airline, however, said that it had discontinued the operations of the CRJ aircraft in its fleet since 2019.

“Arik Air, Nigeria’s leading airline, wishes to notify the public of the decision of JEM Leasing Limited owners of the CRJ 1000 registered as 5N-JEE and its financiers Export Development Canada (EDC) to sell the airplane. We equally wish to notify on the decision of the buyer to tear down the plane,” the statement reads.

“Arik Air, as the lessee since 2014, operated the Aircraft pursuant to a lease agreement with JEM Leasing Limited. Arik discontinued operations of the CRJ fleet since 2019.

“Arik Air would like to assure all stakeholders, including passengers, partners, and the general public, that the decision by the owner and financier of the Aircraft will not impact Arik’s operations or compromise its commitment to providing safe, reliable, and convenient air travel services.”