The brazen attempt on the life of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by some unidentified cutlass and firearm wielding hoodlums, has continued to draw criticisms by well meaning individuals and organisations.
Latest to condemn the incident which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, in Obeiba-Ihima area, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, is a Pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).
This is contained in a Statement by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).
Quoting Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, who disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Thursday, intelligence sources confirmed that the Chief Security Officer to the Senator, Yakubu Ovanja, reported the incident to security authorities.
According to the security expert, Ovanja revealed that the attack occurred around 1:00 a.m. and involved at least three armed individuals who vandalized the building, including shattering window panes.
“Following a distress alert, a team of security operatives from Okehi Division swiftly mobilized to the scene. While no casualties were reported and no arrests have been made, the premises were documented and preliminary investigations have commenced.
“Police sources said the motive behind the attack remains unknown as investigations continue,” Makama said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent political figure in Kogi Central Senatorial District, has not issued a public statement as of press time.
Reacting to the incident, Civil Rights advocacy Group: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) accused some dark forces who are scared of the truth who may be behind this evil plot to assassinate one of the most robust and profoundly respected advocate of equal opportunities and constitutional democracy in the person of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. We are calling for forensic investigations and the arrest of the attackers so they face the full weight of the law.
“We are calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services to ensure that no harm happens to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan because any untoward development around her person is a direct affront to national security. The entirety of the organised civil society organisations in Nigeria are solidly behind her.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has on many occasions alleged that there were active plots to assasinate her. Whilst we are not in any position to deny or affirm her allegations, we are calling on the security forces to do everything humanly possible to keep Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan away from harm.
“Her life must be safeguarded at all costs. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has not committed any crimes that should warrant this level of antagonism and targeted attacks on her person. We urge all the aggrieved persons and her political rivals to follow the due process of the law and not resort to self help measures,” Onwubiko warned.
