SENATOR representing Delta Central district, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, has explained how he escaped by the whiskers the attempt on his life by hoodlums who invaded his empowerment programme at Effurun Market in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday.
It will be recalled that Senator Omo-Agege and his entourage were at the Effurun Market at the instance of the second phase of Omo-Agege Constituency ‘Empowerment Programme’ where he was giving out direct financial supports to hundreds of petty traders and motorcycles riders, when an alleged mob stormed the arena with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically into the air.
Two persons, who are now being attended in an undisclosed hospital, reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries during the invasion.
The programme was billed to take place in five markets in Effurun, Ekpan, Ugborikoko in Uvwie Local Government Area and Jigbale and Ubogo Junction markets in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State and about 1000 persons we’re penciled in as beneficiaries.
Tribune Online gathered that mid-way into the programme at Effurun Main Market, where 150 out 200 beneficiaries had been given their packages, the hoodlums drove in and began to shoot into the air, causing panic and pandemonium.
Unconfirmed report said Senator Omo-Agege was allegedly shot at twice, but escaped by the whiskers, but one of his supporter was hit by a bullet while some others sustained critical injuries and are now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.
It was gathered that Senator Omo-Agege, who was unperturbed by the unprovoked attack, later drove to the Ekpan Police Station to lodge an official complaint and returned to continue with his programme.
Senator Omo-Agege, while recounting his ordeal, gave insight into the suspected hoodlums who attacked him.
He claimed, “There is Igho Majemite. There is Wilson Oki. These are all known thugs in Uvwie. I don’t know who sent them to assassinate me. But I was lucky because the bullet grazed through my right ear.
If I was not lucky I would have been dead. Two bullets were shot at me; one was shot by Ayeye and another bullet was shot at me by Ngozi and also, my brother was shot.
“Also, we have one of my supporters who was almost killed at Ekpan market all in the presence of police officers who could not even effect any arrest.
“I have taken a first step by filing a report with the Ekpan Police Division. I have equally spoken with the State Commissioner of Police.
“I will take it to the highest level. All I seek is that these undesirable elements who are out to assassinate people are removed from the system.
“And I will go to any extent to see to this. You cannot attempt to kill a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I refuse to read any political motivation to this. I’m not in any way saying that there is none.
“For those who were beaten and those who were equally shot at, like me, I can assure them that we will get to the very bottom of it.
“Everybody who is involved in this attempted assassination, we will bring them to face the wrath of the law.”
Meanwhile, Senator Omo-Agege expressed gratitude to the market women and youths for the support he enjoyed from them during the 2015 polls affirming that the gesture was a way of appreciating their support and also assisting them in their respective trades.
He later went to Jigbale and Ubogo Junction markets in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, where 100 motorcycle riders and 200 petty traders were empowered with various sums to boost their businesses.
However, perturbed by the dastardly act, the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday condemned the attempt on the life of Senator Omo-Agege, his wife and supporters.
Publicity secretary of the party, Engr Leonard Obibi, in a statement made available to journalists, denounced the dastardly act, saying they were grateful to God that the assassination attempt was unsuccessful and no life was lost.
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