Less than 24 hours after an attack on leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, including Peter Obi, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata has recounted how the events unfolded.
Akpata, a former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Edo State, revealed that both he and Obi received separate intelligence reports on Tuesday warning that their political event venue in Benin City was likely to be attacked.
“I was clearly in harm’s way, along with several others. We were at risk yesterday in Benin,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
“Fortunately, thanks to the swift actions of security personnel on ground, what could have turned into a very serious incident was prevented.”
According to the lawyer-turned-politician, LP members in Edo had gathered at the party’s secretariat on Ogbelaka Street in Benin City to formally defect to the ADC during a ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m.
He explained that while the event was ongoing, credible intelligence indicated the venue might soon be attacked by unidentified individuals.
“As the programme progressed, we received reliable information that the venue would shortly come under attack. I got the information independently, and Mr. Obi did as well. We were advised to quickly wrap up the event to avoid a potential crisis,” he said.
Akpata described the location as a narrow and congested building on a densely populated street, noting that even a stampede could have resulted in serious casualties.
The event was therefore hurriedly concluded, and party leaders were escorted out of the premises.
“We informed everyone that due to the development, we would reconvene at Chief Oyegun’s residence to address the press. It was a quick decision because circumstances had changed. There was no time for a proper press briefing. Anything could have happened,” he explained.
He said armed men stormed the secretariat shortly after they departed, adding that his cousin narrowly avoided being struck by a bullet.
“We began receiving calls that immediately after we left the venue on Ogbelaka Street, some armed individuals arrived and attacked the premises and those present,” he stated.
Following the incident, the Edo State Government called for a police investigation. Governor Monday Okpebholo condemned the attack and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.
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