Ogona Anita
Department of State Services has arrested a suspect in connection with the recent attack on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and some leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City, Edo State.
The suspect, identified as Udeme Sunday Stephen, was reportedly picked up following what security sources described as a thorough investigation into the incident.
Shortly after the attack, one Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788. He claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened further attacks on Obi.
Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn’t be that lucky next time.
We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one…
“I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target… Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die,” posted Udeme.
A top security source disclosed that, no sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.
The source disclosed that the suspect is 26 year old called Udeme Monday Stephen, and teaches at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, at Umuehere Community, in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.
“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect,” the source stressed
“You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage, VIP protection, among other asset protection duties, the DSS is always alive to its responsibility of investigating credible intelligence, irrespective of tribe or religion.
“They swiftly deployed operatives and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody,” the source declared, adding that Stephen would soon be charged to court.
Recall that Obi and several party chieftains were attacked last Tuesday at the Benin residence of former Edo State governor and ADC stalwart, John Odigie-Oyegun.
Speaking on the development, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the incident occurred shortly after the group returned from the ADC secretariat. There, they had formally received the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, into the ADC.
Details of the suspect’s alleged role in the attack were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, while security agencies continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
