Officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to arrest former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday night at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
The attempted arrest led to a standoff as security operatives at the lodge resisted, resulting in gunfire.
The area was subsequently cordoned off, and movement was restricted to EFCC operatives and other security personnel.
Reports indicate that Bello left the lodge with the current Kogi governor, Ahmed Ododo, before normalcy returned to the area.
This incident is the latest in a series of actions by the EFCC, which has been pursuing Bello for alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80.2 billion.
Despite claims from Bello’s media team that he honored an EFCC invitation earlier in the day, the anti-graft agency denied having him in custody.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the former governor remains wanted, with a warrant for his arrest still in effect.
Bello’s media office, led by Ohiare Michael, maintains that he was not interrogated and was asked to leave after visiting the EFCC office with Governor Ododo.
The former governor is facing 19 charges related to money laundering, and his next court appearance is scheduled for September 25.
