Activist Cries Out Over Alleged Plan To Assassinate Him By Politicians

An activist, Mr. Asemota Owenivbiugie, has raised concerns about an alleged plot to silence him and his wife over their campaign against bad governance and corruption in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The 46-year-old activist, who had faced previous attempts on his life, alleged that the plan aims to prevent him from exposing the rot in the security agency and the government.

In a mail to our correspondent in Benin City, Owenivbiugie stated that no amount of pressure would silence him from doing what is right for the people.

He noted that his consistent campaign against societal ills had made him unpopular with the police and corrupt leaders in Edo State and beyond.

As a member of the Edo Civil Society Organisation, Owenivbiugie emphasised that the government should be held accountable for the increasing cases of cult-related killings in Edo State.

He recounted his ordeal, stating that his relentless campaign against police activities and government leadership had turned him into a fugitive.

Owenivbiugie narrated incidents on October 20, 2023, December 15, 2023, February 25, 2024, and August 25, 2024, where he and his family narrowly escaped harm. On the August 25 incident, he said armed state actors, including police officers, invaded his compound, prompting him to flee for his safety and that of his family.

The activist added that some of his close associates were brutally murdered, with no clear indication of who was responsible.

However, the Edo State Police Command has dismissed Owenivbiugie’s claims as baseless.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Moses Joel Yamu, stated that the activist was only invited for questioning for persistently disregarding police orders, emphasising that the Nigerian Police is a responsible entity that protects and does not harm citizens.