Political thugs on Wednesday wounded eight policemen, including a Divisional Police Officer when they attacked a political leader of the All Progressives Congress in Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State, Chief Joseph Alake.
Alake gave the revelation at the political stakeholders meeting organised by law enforcement agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday.
He alleged that the thugs invaded his house at about 11a.m and fired several gunshots with the intention to kill him and members of his household because he had been the rallying point of the opposition party in Efon Local Government Area.
Alake said the police had a hectic time arresting the thugs who dared them, saying the thugs injured eight police officers, including the DPO of Ijero in the process.
He said, “These people came in at about 11a.m and brandished various weapons. One of them even inflicted a machete wound on a boy in my house. They fired gunshots and threatened to burn down my house because of my political affiliation. But the quick intervention of the Area Commander of Ijero and the Special Anti Robbery Squad Commander saved the day.
“The SARS and the Area Commander rescued me from the scene and took me to Ijero, where I passed the night. I would have been killed but for the quick intervention of the police.”
The Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, who confirmed the attack at the forum, said he immediately ordered his men to rescue Alake when he got the information.
He commended his men for displaying a high level of professionalism in handling the incident, which he described as frightening and barbaric.
He urged political parties to play the game in accordance with the constitution and electoral laws.
“Endeavor to tolerate one another in the conduct of your electioneering campaigns and shun all kinds of vulgar and abusive language that can degenerate into violence.
“Let us have from you, timely reports of the incidents around you to enable us nip in the bud any ugly incident that can mar the conduct of the elections.
“Be out at all times to sell your manifestoes rather than resorting to unnecessary abuse that would negatively impugn on the character of the opponent which could result in chaos.
“Shun all acts of hooliganism in your campaign activities and the idea of moving out on campaign with offensive or destructive weapons because all your campaigns would be covered by the police and anybody found wanting in this course would be severely dealt with,” Lakanu said.
