The media office of the former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has alleged that EFCC operatives on Wednesday night, laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to arrest the ex-governor.

The team’s Media Director, Ohiare Michael, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, alleged that the anti-graft officers shot sporadically in the air in the bid to carry out their aim.

The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.

“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.

“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.

“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.

“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.

“This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.
“We will keep Nigerians posted.”

Reports have that the anti-graft agency had filed a 19-count money laundering charge against Bello before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Lagos State Government has raised the alarm over an imminent building collapse at Mopol 20 Barracks, Onigbongbo in the Ikeja area of the state.

This is as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency is set to begin an emergency evacuation at the old block 3 section of the barracks.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said its response team had assessed some parts of the structure and found them to be in a precarious condition.

Oke-Osanyintolu stated the building and adjacent structures would also be evacuated immediately to prevent any loss of life or property.

“The Agency dispatched a response team to the location and the findings indicate that the building and those adjacent must be evacuated with immediate effect. We are conducting a response plan which comprises an assessment, safe and orderly evacuation and controlled demolition

“Under the watchful eye of the Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu administration, we will be carrying out this preemptive demolition action due to the precarious conditions of the building and possible secondary incidents that could occur if left unmanaged,” the statement partly read.

He, however, urged members of the public within the vicinity to remain calm and refrain from spreading misinformation on social media.

He also assured that the situation was being closely monitored and managed.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement in July, disclosed that the police were carrying out a comprehensive renovation of some police barracks in the state.

He noted that the renovation would be carried out in partnership with the state government.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa on Wednesday said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no favourite candidate in the next Saturday Governorship election in Edo State.

The Chief of Defence disclosed this at a meeting with the stakeholders, including INEC, Police and other security agencies in Benin City.

Musa said the President’s favourite will be the person the electorate in the state elected as their governor.

According to him, we want this election to be the most peaceful. That is the mandate from Mr. President.

“Mr President does not have any favourite. His favourite is whoever the people of Edo vote for and that’s what we must ensure that happens.

“The military has the presidential mandate to ensure a free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo”, he said.

The Military Chief, who also had a strategic meeting with troops ahead of the election, added that he was in the state to assure the electorate that the military would be professional and join the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure an election free of violence and intimidation.

He, however, warned that any officer who tried to disrupt the poll would bear the consequences.

While also warning individuals against carrying arms to intimidate the electorate, he noted that only the statutory security agencies would be allowed to participate in the election.

“What I bring from Abuja is peace and assurance that we will act professionally during the election.

“Election must be free, fair and credible; for this implies that any other person with any other intention other than a peaceful election probably will face the consequences.

“I also want to reiterate, though the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, has said it, that the armed forces will not accept any other individual carrying arms.

“Members of local security networks or vigilantes should stay off the election duties, they are not part of the statutory agencies for election”, he said.

The chief of defence staff, who also warned the personnel of the forces deployed for the election never to compromise, vowed that any personnel who compromises would surely face the music.

He, however, sued for cooperation among the security agencies.

He also noted that the security agencies must provide an enabling environment for the electorate to cast their votes.

“What we have to do is to support the INEC because it is the one conducting the election.

‘The police are the leading agency when it comes to security. So everything we do on security is to support the police to ensure that it is free and fair.

“We have taken part in elections over and over. So this is not going to be a new thing”, he stated.