BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Edo State Police Command has formally invited the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election, Barrister Olumide Akpata over alleged security breaches, involving shootings at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ugbowo Campus, last Friday.
The spokesman for the Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor disclosed this to our correspondent in an exclusive chat in his office in Benin City, today.
Nwabuzor said that the invitation was served on the LP guber flagbearer by investigators in the Political Desk Session of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Command Headquarters, Benin, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
He further explained that the invitation of Barrister Olumide Akpata was part of investigation initiated into the crisis by the police Command.
Contacted, the Labour Party Chairman, Edo State Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi confirmed the receipt of police invitation.
He said he was not in Benin when the letter was delivered but assured that he would honour the invitation.
“Barr. Olumide Akpata is our candidate but UNIBEN invited him to honour him on personal note. I didn’t sign surety of his safety there. I don’t know why the police is equally inviting me to come along with Barrister Olumide Akpata.
“The police ought to have done their background checks, his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party Secretariat so I don’t know why I am being asked to come along with him to police Command Headquarters in Benin. However, I will honour the invitation”, Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi stated.
Recall that Barrister Olumide Akpata attended an investiture ceremony on the invitation of UNIBEN Staff Club, but the event turned violent, when the venue was invaded by some persons whom the Apkata campaign alleged were agents of the PDP-controlled State Government with the intention to assassinate him.
Barr Akpata had in a live broadcast denied the alleged shootings at students on UNIBEN campus by his security personnel, but rather placed the blame on the state and its agents.
The state police Command had last Monday announced that it had launched investigation to unravel the remote and immediate circumstances surrounding the security breaches, involving shooting.
“The incident that happened over there, I think is lack of understanding between the people, I mean the Students Union Government of the great University of Benin and the guber candidate of Labour Party in Edo State. And we thank God that the incident did not escalate beyond the level it is now,” Nwabuzor said.
“The investigation is on under the Political Desk Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the state police Command. I don’t want to go further so that I don’t jeopardize investigation,” he said.
The police spokesman further stated that the ongoing investigation would pay discreet attention to all the claims and counterclaims made so far by Akpata, UNIBEN students body, among others.
In a swift reaction to the incident, the Edo State government through the Hon Commissioner, Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare condemned the clash.
“The Edo State Government condemns in the strongest terms the violence associated with the Labour Party candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata’s visit to the University of Benin on Friday, April 12, 2024.
“Claims and counterclaims have been made by Mr. Akpata and the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University in statements issued by both parties on April 13, and active investigation is ongoing on the issue.
“The Edo State Government, however, warns in the strongest terms that it will not tolerate violence or this sort of irresponsible behaviour which was associated with the visit of Mr. Akpata to the institution”, the Edo government said.
Continuing, it said “Government has the primary responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property in the State and will spare no effort to ensure that anyone who breaches the peace, no matter how highly placed, will face the full weight of the law.
“We hereby call on all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses without let as relevant agencies progress with their investigation into the said matter”.
In a statement released on Monday April 13, the University of Benin Student Union Government (SUG) took a swipe at Barr Olumide Akpata, placing at his doorsteps the blame for the alleged shooting of an undergraduate student.
The student body also accused Akpata and his entourage of entering UNIBEN premises without authorization, painting them as the aggressors in an incident that involved the alleged shooting, brutalization and humiliation of students.
The SUG said: “The assistant secretary general was not spared either as she also received a heavy dose of insult from the aggressive lecturer, the incident was aptly taken to the dean of law and the dean of students, whilst the SUG President pleaded that the lecturer should be pardoned, de-escalate the situation”.
“Fast forward to the evening, at the staff club, these same lecturers made a mockery of the union and during the heated verbal discussion, the SUG Director of Sports was dragged and beaten severely by some of the armed men that came with the Labour Party governorship aspirant in person of Olumide Akpata while another person sustained gunshot wounds”.
“After rescuing the Director of Sports, the SUG officers called the University security, and the school’s security to ascertained that they were not aware of such a meeting, the management authorities also made it known to us that no authorization was given for such a gathering, especially with students presence”.
“While the saga continues, the Labour Party Governorship candidate stormed off and drove out to the venue. we further heard gunshots sound at the school main gate and on getting there, to the main gate, it was made known to the SUG that the convoy forced themselves into the school premises after been denied access at the entrance severally by the security at the main gate”.
“It is also hard to know that the DPO of Ugbowo police station has been briefed on the matter by the SUG to ensure that student have a calm environment, it is important to buttress that this is an extreme security threat to the students of the university of benin as men with guns and thugs forcefully admit themselves into the school premises to do whatever they like within the premises of students”.
Also, in its reaction, the Management of the University of Benin condemned in strong terms reported violence.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, UNIBEN said:
“The Management of the University of Benin has condemned in strong terms reported violence during the visit of the Edo State Labour Party ‘s gubernatorial candidate, Mr Olumide Akpata, on invitation by the Senior Staff Club of the Institution.
“The violent incident, allegedly perpetrated by some students, is unacceptable. Consequently, Management has set up a Committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violent action.
“The Committee, headed by Professor Frederick Ekhaise, has one week to submit a report to Management.”
Signed:
Benedicta Ehanire, Ph.D, anipr.
DR/PRO. 13/4/24
