Tension gripped the Edo State capital on Tuesday following a targeted attack on the convoy of the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
The incident occurred shortly after the politician attended a high-level meeting at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat to welcome the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barr. Olumide Akpata, into the party.
The assault began to unfold as Mr. Obi departed the secretariat in the company of former Edo State Governors, Chief John Oyegun and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor according to a statement issued by Obi’s Media Adviser, Valentine Obienyem.
Obi further narrated that the convoy was trailed by several Siena buses whose movements initially appeared inconspicuous to the security detail.
“The situation escalated rapidly once the convoy reached the private residence of Chief Oyegun.
As Mr. Obi’s primary vehicle entered the premises and the gates were secured, the trailing Siena buses arrived and opened fire on the remaining vehicles and personnel still stationed outside.”
“The hoodlums reportedly engaged in a sustained shootout, targeting multiple backup vehicles and repeatedly firing at the residence’s gates in an apparent attempt to breach the compound. The attackers were only repelled after security personnel returned fire, forcing the unidentified gunmen to flee the scene in their vehicles,” he narrated.
While the attack caused significant panic and left several vehicles riddled with bullets, Mr. Obi’s media team confirmed that no lives were lost in the encounter.
However, several individuals within the convoy and the surrounding area sustained varying degrees of injuries during the crossfire.
The Nigeria Police has been alerted to the incident, and an investigation is expected to be launched into the motives behind the attack, which occurred during a period of heightened political realignment in the state.