Suspected Political Thugs Attack ADC Secretariat In Edo

Suspected Political Thugs Attack ADC Secretariat In Edo
Party alleges political motive ahead of 2027 general elections
Police confirm attack, deploy officers and begin investigation

Persons suspected to be political thugs have reportedly attacked the Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress in Benin City, damaging property and attempting to set the facility ablaze.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the incident occurred on Ogbelaka Street on Wednesday night and caused panic in the area before residents reportedly resisted the attackers and prevented the building from being burned.

Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums allegedly poured fuel on parts of the secretariat in a bid to raze it but were forced to retreat after meeting resistance from people living nearby. The assailants, however, went on to vandalise the premises, smashing windows and destroying party items before fleeing the scene.

A video that later surfaced on social media showed the aftermath of the attack, with a narrator alleging that the suspects attempted to set the secretariat on fire before escaping.

Confirming the incident, the Edo State Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, said the attackers arrived with about 10 litres of fuel and clearly intended to burn down the building.

Odion alleged that the attack was politically motivated and aimed at intimidating the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Some politicians want ADC to leave the state so that no other political party would contest the 2027 election apart from them,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s democracy guarantees freedom of association and that no group has the right to force citizens to belong to a particular political party.

“Election is a game that requires everybody’s participation. There is freedom of association and it is still in force,” Odion stated.

He disclosed that the incident had been reported to security agencies and called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, also confirmed the attack, saying the police received a distress report at about 8:00 pm on Wednesday.

She said officers were immediately deployed to the scene to restore calm and secure the area.

According to her, a preliminary assessment revealed malicious damage to the party’s flags and two shattered windows, adding that investigations are ongoing.