An Edo-based activist, Okhai Okhani, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and ensure justice over an alleged assault on him by armed vigilantes in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
As seen in a viral online video, Okhani was attacked at the venue of a stakeholders’ summit he organised for political office holders in Edo North to present their scorecards.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, when he paid a visit to The PUNCH Place, Okhani, who is the coordinator of Edo North Unity Worldwide, said efforts to get the state police command to arrest the perpetrators had proved futile.
According to him, the state Commissioner of Police said the suspects had an accident on their way after he invited them for questioning.
He said, “I am calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to help me get justice because attempts made to get the police in the state to arrest the perpetrators have been futile. When I enquired about the efforts made to identify the suspects, I was told the Commissioner of Police said the suspects were invited to the command headquarters.
“He later said they had an accident on their way and one of them was hospitalised. I was told he was still expecting them, but nothing has been heard about that till now. I no longer have confidence in their approach.
“That is why I am calling for the IG’s intervention.” Okhani further revealed that he had been forced to relocate with his family from the state after he kept receiving a lot of threats from some of the alleged perpetrators.
“Since the incident, I have been receiving threats to my life, which I am not comfortable with. As I speak to you, I have moved my family from Edo State because of the threats. Those who are close to me have been informing me of what they said they were going to do to me if they saw me. That was why I left.”
On the state of his health, the activist noted that his body still ached, while he had not been totally discharged from the hospital.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached as calls made to his phone were not answered. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time of filing this report.
After the incident occurred in July, Okhani told newsmen that over 50 uniformed armed vigilantes and thugs stormed the venue of the summit.
The event, according to him, is an annual forum to assess and honour public office holders who have positively impacted their constituencies in delivering dividends of democracy.
He stated that he had sent out official invitations to notable political figures, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Peter Akpatason, Anamero Sunday, Hussein Mustapher, and several others.
He added that he got approval from the acting Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Valentine Okuilagwe, to use the venue.
Okhani said the event was about to begin when the vigilantes attacked and brutalised guests, destroying their valuables, including phones.
He alleged that the attack was orchestrated by political actors in Edo North, who felt the assessment and honour were not in their favour. -Punch
