GUNMEN STORM APC CONGRESS IN DELTA, IBOR-SUENU ESCAPES ASSASSINATION
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HOTJIST NEWS
Chaos broke out in Ovade, Oghara, and Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday when gunmen started shooting at the place where the All Progressives Congress (APC) was holding a local government congress. This made Rt. Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu have to run away quickly, under a lot of security, and her team said it was an attempt to kill her on purpose.
The lawmaker, who is from Ethiope Federal Constituency and serves in the House of Representatives, is the daughter of former Delta State governor James Ibori. She had arrived at the congress venue when armed individuals reportedly attacked party members and prevented access to the area where the event was planned to take place.
Eyewitnesses said the atmosphere turned tense moments after her arrival before gunshots rang out, sending delegates and supporters scrambling for safety.
“We ran for our lives. Some of us fell and got injured. They attacked us at the gate and prevented us from entering,” an eyewitness told reporters. “They were holding all kinds of weapons. It was only God that saved madam.”
According to members of her entourage, the assailants appeared determined to stop her from accessing the venue. “They denied her entry and immediately the shooting started,” one aide said. “If she had stepped further into that field before the gunfire began, the story today might have been different.”
Security operatives attached to the federal lawmaker reportedly formed a protective cordon around her, shielding her from the attackers and evacuating her from the scene. Some of the security personnel were said to have sustained injuries while repelling the assault.
Supporters were not left unharmed. A few party members were reportedly hurt in the chaos, though the exact number of people affected hasn’t been officially shared yet. Some of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. A person close to the lawmaker said the attack was planned.
“This wasn’t just random violence. It was targeted,” the aide said, claiming that “certain influential groups” in the area didn’t like the current political developments. However, no proof has been made public to back up these claims, and no arrests have been made by security officials so far. Even though there was an attack, Ibori-Suenu stayed calm and collected right after. She reportedly asked her supporters to keep things peaceful.
“I urge everyone to remain calm. We must not take the law into our hands despite this unprovoked assault,” she was quoted as saying while addressing aggrieved party members.
As investigations are expected to commence, party stakeholders and security agencies face mounting pressure to identify those responsible and restore confidence in the congress process.
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