In a disturbing turn of events, the residence of Mustapha Emewe, a prominent chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was targeted by hoodlums in Emewe-Opada village, situated within the Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The assailants, under the cover of darkness, set fire to Emewe’s car, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing political crisis in the state in anticipation of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 11.
Sources reveal that the incident unfolded in the late hours of Sunday night, with the attackers making their move under the cover of darkness.
Eyewitnesses reported the hoodlums firing shots indiscriminately, creating an atmosphere of fear that discouraged locals from confronting them. Joel Adegbe, a resident, recounted the unsettling events, noting that the sound of gunfire around midnight initially led some to believe it was a show of presence by local vigilantes. However, the situation escalated when flames and explosions erupted from the vicinity of the gunfire, signaling the ignition of a fire.
Neighbors rallied to douse the flames, but the vehicle sustained significant damage. The attack underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the upcoming governorship election, which have already been marked by political strife and uncertainty. Sheik Ibrahim Jibrin, the Director General of the SDP in the state, led party members in expressing their solidarity with Emewe, visiting the scene of the incident to offer their sympathies.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Kogi State Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Aya, were met with silence, as he had not responded to inquiries at the time of reporting. As investigations unfold, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Kogi State as it approaches a crucial electoral decision. The security situation remains a central concern as the political landscape becomes increasingly tense.
