By Lucky Isibor
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has condemned the continued gun attacks on its members and supporters stating that the attacks are becoming too rampant even though the party continue to preach peace, preach against reprisals and encourage non-violence as the campaigns continue.
State publicity secretary of the party, Chris Nehikhare stated this in press release made available to journalists I Benin City, Monday.
He said armed men suspected to be thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress, APC stormed the home of the secretary to Etsako East Local Government Council last Sunday and shooting sporadically inside the compound.
“On Sunday, August 30th, 2020 armed men invaded the home of Hon Paul Frank Aronokhale, Secretary to Estako East Local Government Council. They beat up the gateman mercilessly and rained bullets on the building and cars parked in the compound. For over 20 minutes, they kept on shooting and spraying the property with bullets from an assortment of sophisticated weapons in their possession. This is the second time in a month that there has been an attempt on the life of the SLG by the same hoodlums suspected to be APC thugs”
Nehikhare noted that the PDP has been silent until police investigation is pointing at the direction of the APC before going to press on the issue.
“In our usual tradition, we do not run to the press when there is this type of security breach and threat to life and property of our members and supporters until the matter is reported to the police and investigation has reached an advanced stage.
“Contrary to the tales APC and its propaganda machinery are narrating, Engineer Abdul Ganiyu was arrested by soldiers on the Okpella-Okene expressway as he attempted to flee Okpella after he refused police invitation and refused to admit police into his residence when the DPO and his team visited him as a person of interest in the investigation after he was identified as one of those in the Sienna vehicle that invaded the residence of the SLG.
“We are informed that the soldiers picked him and some of his goons and not family members at the military checkpoint at the Edo-Kogi state boundary just a few hours after he denied the police entry into his house by barricading himself in. The dutiful soldiers handed him over to the police. His goons were released as there was nothing incriminating found on them at that material time.
While commending the police for a job well done, Nehikhare called on the police to charge the culprits to court immediately.
“We must commend the security agencies and especially the police for their swift action. However, Engr Gani’s accomplices are still roaming the street and are still a threat to not just PDP members but Edo indigenes. We are informed by the victims and eye-witnesses that many of the gun men were identified and the location of the vehicle used for the dastardly act have been passed to the police.
“Bringing Engr, Gani to Benin is not enough, he should be promptly charged to court along with the other two assassins that were arrested in connection with the Agbede attack.
“We must at this point advice APC and its leadership to join in the condemnation of these acts of thuggery and violence. It must also show respect to the law and stop blackmailing the law enforcement agencies and making unnecessary demands that smacks of political arrogance.”
