THE Police in Ekiti State have announced that they have launched a manhunt for a former coordinator of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) in Ekiti State, Mr Niyi Adedipe, popularly known as “Apase”, for alleged “assault occasioning harm.” Adedipe aka Apase was alleged to have led a team of his followers to attack members of the OPC under the leadership of Mr Sola Ojo shortly after a “freedom rally” in the state capital to celebrate his release from prison detention.
Ojo, who said he was installed by Chief Gani Adams to serve as the coordinator of the OPC in the state, alleged that after the rally by Apase, they stormed the OPC office at Ori Apata in Ado Ekiti and attacked them, injured people and vandalised vehicles.
A victim of the attack, Mr Ajibola Tope (Akoto), said Apase and his team attacked him and injured him in the head, his arm and that he was lucky to have escaped death.
Ojo said the matter was reported to the police, whom he said “intervened” and added that “the matter was reported at the police headquarters.” The police, while confirming the incident, said the matter was reported at the police headquarters on January 31, and that they were investigating it.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanci, who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe, said “it’s a fact, there was an incident around 1420hrs,” and added that “Tope Ajibola was assaulted and injured in the heard and the hand. A case of assault occasioning harm was reported.”
Galadanci said: “A suspect was reported, one Niyi Adedipe Apase allegedly attacked him. We’ve sent for him; he hasn’t been found at home. His number is not connecting and he’s nowhere to be found. We are on the lookout for him.
“We have also charged him with deliberate assault and malicious damage to a car of one Sola Ojo. I want to assure you that we are still looking for him.”
While also announcing that an arts warrant had been issued on the suspect, he said no arrests had been made in the case.
Adedipe was set free by an Ekiti State high court on January 29 from about three-year prison detention, where he was while standing trial for allegedly being complicit in the murder of ex-NURTW Chairman in the state, Chief Omolafe Aderiye.