Department of State Services has arrested a man suspected of involvement in a gun attack targeting former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other political figures during a party defection event in Edo State.
The incident occurred on February 24 in Benin City, shortly after a meeting at the All Democratic Congress secretariat where Olumide Akpata, a former Labour Party governorship hopeful, switched allegiance to the ADC.
Armed assailants opened fire, endangering Obi, ex-Edo governor John Oyegun, and several ADC leaders.
The detained individual, Udeme Monday Stephen, faces allegations of issuing threats via his X account @stevetom788, including plans for additional assaults on Obi.
Obi denounced the violence, vowing legal recourse: “We will make a formal complaint, and I assure you that this cannot continue. We have a country, and we are part of the country. We cannot have terrorism terrorising the country and have officials in government terrorising citizens. It is unacceptable.”
The ADC condemned the act through spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, who stated: “Let it be clearly understood: violence and intimidation are the weapons of those who fear the will of the people. Such actions stain our democracy and must be condemned by all who believe in freedom.”
Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo attributed the clash to imported agitators, declaring: “As peace-loving people, the importation of thugs and miscreants from outside the state under the guise of party politics remains totally condemned and will not be tolerated going forward.”
