Two Injured As Sen. Omo-Agege, Wife Escape Assassination Attempt But Police Accuse Senator Omo-Agege Of Lying About Assassination Attempt

At least two persons have sustained life threatening injuries when armed youths attacked Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, representing Delta Central at the National Assembly, his wife and some top members of the All Progressives Congress during an empowerment programme in Effurun, Uvwie council area of Delta State.

The attack which occurred on Saturday is believed to be an assassination attempt on the senator when he visited the Effurun Market located along the popular PTI road during the second phase of his constituency empowerment programme in Effurun, Ekpan and Ugberikoko areas of Uvwie.

The incident created panic as market women and motorists left their vehicles and scampered for safety when the gunmen opened fire on the senator’s entourage.

Recounting details of the incident, Senator Omo-Agege said, “There is Igho Majemite. There is Wilson Oki. These are all known thugs in Uvwie.  I don’t know who sent them to assassinate me.  But I was lucky because the bullet grazed through my right ear. If I was not lucky I would have been dead.  Two bullets were shot at me; one was shot by Ayeye and another bullet was shot at me by Ngozi and also, my brother was shot.

“Also, we have one of my supporters who was almost killed at Ekpan market all in the presence of police officers who could not even effect any arrest.  I have taken a first step by filing a report with the Ekpan Police Division. I have equally spoken with the State Commissioner of Police.

“I will take it to the highest level. All I seek is that these undesirable elements who are out to assassinate people are removed from the system.  And I will go to any extent to see to this.  You cannot attempt to kill a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  I refuse to read any political motivation to this. I’m not in any way saying that there is none.

“For those who were beaten and those who were equally shot at, like me, I can assure them that we will get to the very bottom of it.   Everybody who is involved in this attempted assassination, we will bring them to face the wrath of the law.”

In a Swift reaction the Delta State police have dismissed claims by the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Senator representing Delta central, Ovie Omo-Agege, that the invasion of the venue of his second phase of his constituency ‘empowerment’ program in Effurun, Uvwie local government area of Delta State by thugs was an assassination attempt on him, his wife, members of his family, APC leaders and his supporters.

It reliably learned that Mr. Omo-Agege had on Saturday alongside his wife, children, some APC chieftains and supporters gone to Effurun for the second batch of his constituents empowerment program when armed irate youths invaded the venue leading to the Senator being  whisked away together with his family by supporters while guests already seated were chased away and several vehicles in the entourage of the Senator destroyed.

Shortly after the incident, the senator, through his media and strategy team issued a statement titled: "Senator Omo-Agege Survives Assassination Attempt" and signed by Mr. Aruviere Martin Egharhevwa.

"We condemn in the strongest terms, today’s obvious premeditated assassination attempt on the Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, his wife, members of his family, APC leaders and his supporters during the second phase of the senator’s constituency ‘empowerment’ program in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. We note with sadness that two persons were seriously injured during this violent attack unleashed on the peace-loving senator and his team by the suspected killers.

"We call on security agencies to immediately arrest the hoodlums and bring them to justice. We note with regret that the hoodlums staged the violent attack when the senator and his team were at the popular Effurun Market giving direct financial support to over hundreds of petty traders and Okada riders. They shot sporadically, destroyed chairs and canopies at the event venues and inflicted serious bodily injuries on members of the public. The attackers made a direct threat on the senator’s life when they came face to face with him and his wife. 

"Senator Omo-Agege did not, however, yield to their violence, as he chose to provide bold and wise leadership to avoid unnecessary bloodshed over his charitable support for his constituents. Those injured were taken to hospitals for treatment on the senator’s timely advice before he and his team drove to Ekpan Police Station to formally complain to the police authorities. We expect the Police to act. We wish to advise and warn that it is in the interest of those who attacked the Distinguished Senator Omo-Agege to turn themselves into security agencies immediately." the statement said.

But in a fierce reaction to the claims by the senator, Delta state commissioner of police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim dismissed the claims insisting that they were not aware of any assassination plot against Mr. Omo-Agege adding that politicians are fond of making a  mountain out of a mole hill.

"I don't know about any assassination attempt on the senator. Didn't he have policemen with him? I know he reported a complaint at the Ekpan police station that he was attacked by thugs during an empowerment program but I don't know whether it boils down to an assassination attempt. My question is didn't he have policemen with him? As a senator who will go on empowerment program will he go empty handed? 

"If you are going for empowerment program are you not supposed to tell the police that you will do empowerment program and they give you police, did he do that? Also, didn't he have police operatives with him? Somebody will not just wake up to say they attempted to assassinate him. When are making allegations you have a substantial proves not just making allegations."

According to the police boss, Mr. Omo-Agege has access to police and security operatives and when going for such empowerment program he ought to inform the DPO or the area commander to provide him with security, adding that "You know these politicians, they can just say anything for their own political gains.