How Security Tip Helped Obi, ADC Leaders Escape Deadly Attack In Edo — Akpata

Former Edo State governorship candidate on the platform of Labour Party (LP), Barr. Olumide Akpata, SAN, has revealed that he and other ADC chieftains, including Peter Obi separately received intelligence from what he described as ‘reliable sources’, warning that a political event in Benin City, Edo State, would soon come under attack by unknown persons.

Akpata disclosed this on Thursday night while recounting on the Tuesday incident that targeted Obi, John Oyegun, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while speaking on ‘Politics Today’ on Channels Television.

“I might not put it in those terms, but I was in harm’s way, there’s no doubt. I was alongside other persons. We were in harm’s way, definitely, yesterday in Benin,” Akpata said.

He explained that the ceremony, marking the movement of some Labour Party members in Edo State to the ADC, was scheduled for 11 a.m. at the party’s secretariat on Ogbilaka Street, Benin City. According to him, the event had barely begun when warnings emerged.

“We got information as the event proceeded from sources that are usually reliable that that venue would very soon come under attack from some unknown persons,” he said. “I received that information separately. Mr Obi received that information, and we were advised to speed up the event.”

Akpata said the organisers took the advice seriously because the building was “very tight” and located in a densely populated area, noting that “even a stampede would be dangerous.”

Following brief speeches and presentations, he said party leaders were ushered out and attendees were asked to disperse. The press was redirected to Oyegun’s residence for further interaction.

“As soon as we left the secretariat on Ogbilaka Street, some guys actually showed up and attacked the venue, attacked people,” Akpata recounted. “Unfortunately, our people did not leave as quickly as we did.”

He disclosed that his cousin narrowly escaped being hit by a bullet. “The bullet actually hit the floor near him and ricocheted,” he said, adding that another relative “had a bottle smashed on her head,” while the DJ’s equipment, including a laptop, was destroyed. He also said several people wearing ADC caps were attacked.

The situation later escalated at Oyegun’s residence, located in the Government Reservation Area (GRA). Akpata said that while leaders were preparing to take photographs outside the house, gunshots rang out nearby.

“We heard gunshots, serious gunshots,” he said. “The security personnel who were with us forced us back into Chief Oyegun’s sitting room because the gunshots were so close that there was a real risk that any bullet could hit any of us.”

According to him, the attackers carried out what appeared to be a “double drive-by,” firing shots into the air before leaving. “When we went out to survey the damage, that’s when we saw the spent cartridges. Cars parked outside had their windshields shattered,” he added.

Akpata confirmed that no one was killed in the incident, though several people sustained injuries. “Nobody died. Some people were injured,” he said, noting that the more intense gunfire occurred around Oyegun’s residence.

He added that Obi later addressed journalists briefly at the gate before heading to the airport to catch a flight, after which the party leaders dispersed.