The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed how army personnel saved him from imminent harm on two occasions.
He made the revelation on Sunday at a reception organised for him by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Anthony Omozoje.
The Herald can report that the event held at Tiger’s Den, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo in Ibadan.
Makinde disclosed that army personnel saved him from being killed first in 2007 when he was a senatorial candidate and in 2015 when he was a gubernatorial candidate.
On the second occasion, the governor disclosed, he was campaigning in front of his opponent’s family home when violence erupted.
He said the prompt intervention of Nigerian Army personnel saved the day.
The governor said his administration would continue to work closely with the Army to maintain peace in Oyo and Nigeria in general.
“To some people, it may be something new but to me, it is not. I had been saved twice from imminent death by the officers of this Division. The first experience was in 2007 when I was contesting to go to the Senate. On the day of election, my house was invaded by mobile policemen but I was rescued by the officers and was taken to the Mokola Barracks where I stayed throughout the election.
“I did not even vote on the day of election but I was happy that I came back unhurt due to the efforts of the officers of this 2 Division. Also, in 2015 when I was contesting to be the governor of this state, I was going to campaign in front of the family house of my opponent. Violence erupted but the officers of this division took charge and I was rescued unhurt.
“If I fast-track that to Operation Burst, I am glad to say that anytime we have them going out for an operation, we sleep peacefully because we know they will do the necessary things,” Makinde said.
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