The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo state has called for the arrest and prosecution of Haruna Yusuf Abiona, a special adviser on security to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Igbere TV reports.
In a statement made available to Igbere TV, the APC accused Abiona as “the mastermind behind the mayhem and terror unleashed at the front of the Palace of the Oba of Benin yesterday.”
The statement which was endorsed by Emperor Jarret Tenebe, deputy chairman of the APC in Edo state, reads;
“The APC was deeply saddened at the turn out of events yesterday at the palace of our respected Oba Of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo ‘N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11.
“Yesterday armed thugs recruited by one Haruna Yusuf Abiona opened gunfire on helpless civilians in front of the Oba’s Palace, this gory and horrific incident left no fewer than 12 people hospitalized with four of the victims admitted in the intensive care unit.
“Just yesterday morning we made a press statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to call this untamed security aide to Governor Godwin Obaseki to order only for such despicable and condemnable act to be carried out a few hours later.
“This is a clear indicator that Haruna Yusuf is the mastermind behind the dastardly act of sacrilege and abomination carried out at the Palace of the Oba Of Benin.
“In any organisation or community, the people to be afraid of are the people that have nothing to lose, they can afford to stroke the embers of discord to the detriment of the larger society or organization.
“Haruna Yusuf Abiona is not from Edo state and hails from Kogi State, so it is evidently clear that Haruna Yusuf cares less if any harm or misfortune befalls Edo citizens.
“It is normal for political clashes to occur but degenerating into a sordid situation where live ammunitions are used on fellow citizens becomes a bad omen and should be condemned by all and sundry.
“Haruna Yusuf is setting a bad precedent in the annals of our political history in Edo State with his bloodthirsty introduction of banditry into our State politics.
“Information reaching us attest to the fact that this is just a rehearsal of mayhem to be unleashed by Haruna Yusuf in coming days.
“This man is already on record for threatening All Progressives Congress members with “destruction” if they dared to resist his planned rigging machine on election day.
“This man must be stopped.This man must leave Edo State.
“There are documentary pieces of evidence in the form of videos that have been circulating on the internet stating clearly the perpetrators of the dastardly act that was carried out yesterday.
“Our party the All Progressive Congress, therefore, calls upon the Inspector General of Police and the State Commissioner of police which has the primary mandate and obligation of respecting and promoting human rights and freedoms, to seriously redress the growing and systematic violation of the Right to Equal Protection of the Law.
“Haruna Yusuf Abiona should be arrested, prosecuted and bundled out of Edo State.
“Lastly, we urge all our teeming supporters to be undaunted and focus on delivering the candidacy of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for Governor and Mallam Gani Audu for Deputy Governor.
“We should remain calm while we believe our security agencies would do the needful in nipping the planned mayhem and terror of Haruna Yusuf Abiona in the bud.”
