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As Commissioner Orders Probe into Incident, Summons Party Leaders
- Safiu Kehinde
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the attack on the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the residence of the party’s state chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
NPO Reported that suspected hoodlums had on Tuesday evening stormed Odigie-Oyegun’s residence shortly after the arrival of Obi and the ADC leaders from the party’s secretariat where they received the 2024 Edo governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata.
The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President who defected from the Labour Party to the ADC, was also present during the attack at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence.
Pictures shared on X showed the bullet-riddled gate of the former Edo governor and rows of vandalised cars outside his residence.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday evening by its spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, the Edo Police Command disclosed that the attack occurred 3:48pm.
While no casualty was reported, the police operatives deployed to the scene confirmed destruction of two rear windscreens and body parts of vehicles parked outside the residence.
The Edo Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, had since ordered the commencement of a full-scale investigation into the incidents with a view to identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting the perpetrators.
Meanwhile prior to the attack at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, the Edo Police also reported similar attack at the ADC secretariat which occurred around 2:55pm.
The suspected hoodlums had, according to the statement, stormed the gathering of the party members, causing panic and stampede as they chased the members away and vandalised chairs and canopies erected at the venue.
While no casualty was also reported, a woman however sustained injury during the attack.
The Edo Police disclosed that leaders of the party had been summoned as it warned that acts of political violence will not be tolerated under any guise.
The statement read; “The Edo State Police Command hereby confirms to the general public that there were reports of incidents of unrest at the ADC political events today, 24th February 2026, in Benin City.
“At about 1455hrs, during political activities at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) State Secretariat located at Ogbelaka Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City, some hoodlums allegedly infiltrated the gathering and caused panic which led to a stampede at the end of the occasion, shortly after the programme was officially concluded, and most dignitaries had departed the venue.
“The hoodlums were said to have caused commotion, chased members away and threw the furniture at the venue upside down.
“Police patrol teams swiftly responded to the distress call, but the hoodlums fled upon sighting operatives.
“Plastic chairs and canopies that were arranged and kept on the road outside the premises of the secretariat for the event were vandalised and damaged.
“No casualties were recorded. However, during the ensuing stampede, one woman sustained injuries not related to gunfire. She was promptly treated at a nearby chemist and has since been discharged.
“Security has been reinforced around the secretariat and its environs to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.
“In a related development, at about 1548hrs, the Command received a distress report alleging that gunshots were heard at the residence of the ADC State Chairman and former Executive Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun.
“Upon arrival at the residence, Police operatives observed signs of malicious damage. Items reportedly destroyed included two rear windscreens and body parts of vehicles parked outside the residence. No casualty was recorded at the residence.
“The Commissioner of Police Edo State Command CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, has ordered the commencement of a full-scale investigation into the incidents with a view to identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting the perpetrators.
“The Command reiterates its commitment to ensuring adequate security for all political stakeholders, irrespective of party affiliation, and warns that acts of political violence will not be tolerated under any guise.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and provide useful information that can aid ongoing investigations.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress.
“Meanwhile political party leaders have been invited to a meeting with the Commissioner of police to discuss the need for enhanced peaceful political activities in the state henceforth.”