Just In : House Of Reps member Escapes Assass!nation Attempt
The statement added that the suspected assassins were eventually arrested by the security operatives and according to their confessions, they acted based on the directives of the Ado Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Agbese Onazi.
The Deputy Spokesperson for the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese was rescued on Thursday by military personnel following an assassination attempt launched against him by a group of armed men.
According to a press statement issued by his media aide, Hon. Lawrence Oduh, it was alleged that Agbese, who currently represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, was attacked in Igumale, the headquarters of his local government area of Ado, during a constituency outreach organised to mark the Easter celebration.
The statement added that the suspected assassins were eventually arrested by the security operatives and according to their confessions, they acted based on the directives of the Ado Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Agbese Onazi.
The statement continued: “Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, believed to have been hired by the caretaker chairman, ambushed Chief Agbese and his entourage during the outreach program in Igumale, the capital of Ado Local Government Area. Thanks to the swift response of security operatives present at the scene, the Enone Representative managed to evade harm, averting a potential tragedy. Several of the suspected perpetrators were promptly apprehended, shedding light on the disturbing chain of events.
“Initial interrogations of the apprehended individuals have revealed damning information implicating both the Ado Local Government Chairman and the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Lami Ogenyi, in the heinous scheme. Shockingly, one of the culprits was found in possession of Hon. Mrs. Ogenyi’s official vehicle, raising serious questions about her involvement in the attempted assassination.
“As the investigation unfolds, authorities are intensifying efforts to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and bring all responsible parties to justice. The safety and security of public officials and constituents alike hang in the balance as the community grapples with the implications of this brazen attack.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. Our thoughts are with Chief Agbese and his family during this challenging time, and we remain committed to ensuring that justice is served.”
As of the time of filling this report Friday morning, there had been no official comment from the military in Benue State or the army authority on the matter.
But when SaharaReporters contacted the Benue House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mrs Ogenyi, she denied the allegations, saying she was surprised to hear her name linked to the assassination plot.
She said, “I travelled to the village on Saturday to do my outright programme. I did it from Saturday to Sunday and we continued to Monday. I left the village on Monday evening.
“I was surprised to hear about the assassination attempt of Hon. Phillip and I don’t know why he involved my name.
“Immediately I heard about the news, I called the military and they told me it’s true they arrested some suspects. And I asked if they caught them with any rifles, they said no. This made me instruct them to hand over the suspects to the police for proper investigation. The DPO also told me nothing (no weapons) was found with the arrested suspects. But he said they would be transferred to the headquarters in Makurdi for proper investigation.
“I don’t know anyone among them. I did not have their numbers. I did not send them. But I know there are people of my constituency and this was why I called the military. Even if my name was not mentioned, I would have done the same thing because these people voted for me to represent their interests.
“They said those guys were arrested with my official car; that is not true because I don’t keep any of my cars in the villages. And the security operatives could not even provide a picture of this car when I asked. So, I don’t know why my name is involved.
“My investigation even revealed to me that these arrested people were on their way to a burial ceremony. It was a man named Energy who invited them to the burial ceremony of one of his loved ones. Energy even went to the police to explain the situation to them.”
However, all attempts made by SaharaReporters to get the reaction of the caretaker chairman, Onazi, to the allegation were unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls.
He had yet to reply to a text message sent to him seeking his comment on the issue at the time of filing this report.
