Men armed to the teeth have launched a calculated attack on the family house of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Obeiba-Ihima, Kogi State, in what appears to be a politically motivated incident.
The dreaded assailants, while targeting the Senator herself, made a bold statement by reportedly vandalising windows in her late grandfather’s home before being repelled by a swift response from civil defence operatives and members of the local community.
According to what Citizen Rapporteur gathered on Thursday, the gunmen besieged the property on Tuesday night, under the false assumption that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was inside the house at the time of the attack.
A statement from the Senator’s media team condemned the attack as a “brazen and calculated assault,” suggesting that the incident may be linked to her outspoken criticism of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she recently accused of sexual harassment.
“The armed men, mistakenly believing the Senator was present, vandalised windows in her grandfather’s house,” the statement read.
“Fortunately, security operatives swiftly responded and repelled the attackers. This calculated assault appears to be a direct response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courageous stance against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.”
The media team further called on the Inspector General of Police to “immediately reinstate her security details” to ensure her safety.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also shared her account of the harrowing event thus:
“Two days ago, my younger brother took some contractors to my hometown in Ihima to inspect locations for upcoming projects I attracted to my senatorial district,” she said.
“The unknown gunmen assumed I was the one in town and attacked my family house that night. Thankfully, the civil defence team and community members responded promptly and chased them off. A report was made at the police area command, and no one was hurt.”
She urged the public to remain calm and not be intimidated by such violent tactics.
“We call on the public to remain calm and support the pursuit of justice. My dedication to speaking truth and representing my constituents should not be met with violence and intimidation,” the Senator said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, has been an outspoken advocate for transparency, women’s rights, and justice in governance.
The attack raises concerns about the safety of public officials who challenge entrenched political powers.
