UPDATE: DSS Investigates Video Of Gov. Bello Threatening To Shoot Anyone Criticising His Administration

Mohammed O. Taoheed

Bello also in the video bragged that he could handle a gun better than the people he was addressing, despite not being a security agent.

Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has begun an investigation into the video of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, threatening people to shoot anyone saying bad things about his administration.

A source at the agency told SaharaReporters on Tuesday night that the video had been brought to the attention of the secret police.

“Senior intelligence officers have seen the video and it’s being investigated here at the headquarters in Abuja,” the source said.

Bello also in the video bragged that he could handle a gun better than the people he was addressing, despite not being a security agent.

“If I hear any rumour or hear anybody murmuring, even if it’s in the person’s room and I said I want to see the person and you cannot provide him, then be prepared to be the person’s substitute,” Bello who contested the ruling All Progressives Congress presidential primary was heard saying in the video.

“That’s why I’m saying it loud and clear for everyone to hear. Not just Ihima, not just about Ebira but the whole of Kogi. Because some of those people who are prepared to do evil, may be some of them are older than me.

“You cannot hold gun more than me. For that, everyone should receive and disseminate the message. Record and play it for them that I’m ready this time around.”

In December 2019, thugs said to be loyal to Bello and the ruling APC burnt opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s women leader, Salome Abuh, to death over some scuffle during the governorship election.

In April 2021, violent youths working for the Kogi governor descended on two middle-aged protesters who were pasting Buhari-Must-Go posters in Lokoja.

The APC youths flogged the two protesters, filmed them and brutalised them before they were later handed over to policemen.

A few days later, the state government in a statement supported mob action against the youths, saying they were from Benue State.

“The Kogi State Government wishes to commend the gallant and ever vigilant youths of the state for rising to the occasion to crush the ungodly campaign by some imported and sponsored youths who came to the State to campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The sponsored youths congregated at Benue State from where they moved to Kogi State and began to paint walls as well as display anti-Buhari posters that were printed in a South-South state,” the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo had said.

During the APC presidential primaries in earlier this year, some of Bello’s supporters were arrested by the police after guns and ammunition were found on them.

Some of them were arrested in vehicles branded with the logo of the Kogi governor.