It was a lucky weekend for three candidates in the forthcoming general election as they all escaped death in different attacks by gunmen.
Among them was former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and governorship candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Cross River State, Usani Usani.
Also escaping death by a whisker were Labour Party’s House of Representatives Candidate for Lere Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, Suleiman Tambaya, and Imo State House of Assembly candidate of the Labour Party for Okigwe Local Government Area, Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri.
Four people were killed in two of the attacks.
Usani narrowly escaped death at the hands of suspected kidnappers on Calabar-Ikom highway on Friday as they opened fire on the vehicle that conveyed, killing two unidentified occupants in the process.
The governorship aspirant was said to be on his way to his home town in Nko, Yakurr Local Government Area alongside his running mate and others when they were attacked.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Sule Balarabe, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred between the axis of Akamkpa and Biase local government areas of the state at about 4 pm on Friday.
He said it all started when a white Ford with Registration number AAA 41 AQ was ambushed by the suspected kidnappers, killing the two yet-to-be identified victims.
The Commissioner further said that three other persons were abducted by the gunmen.
“The vehicle in which they killed two persons had seven occupants including two police officers, ASP Ibor Bassey and Insp. Ebro Ebri, who escaped and called for reinforcement.
“A tactical unit was immediately dispatched to the area and three persons have so far been rescued,” he said.
Balarabe said the rescued persons were members of the PRP who were travelling with the ex-minister.
He solicited for support by way of useful information to the police from the communities along the Calabar-Ikom highway.
“We are appealing to all community leaders and traditional rulers to help security agencies by providing us with useful information through our dedicated lines.
“These criminals are not spirits; they are human beings who live amongst them. Without useful and timely information, it will be very difficult to nip these nefarious activities in the bud,” he said.
Speaking on the attack, Media Aide to the former minister, Mr. David Agabi, said they only escaped by a whisker.
Agabi said: “We were in a convoy. The gunmen started shooting at us around Betem in Biase. My principal’s driver sustained gunshot injuries while the vehicle was riddled with bullets.
“Other members of our party in the convoy also suffered various degrees of injuries.
“Four persons were abducted, but as I speak to you, only three have regained freedom.
“One person is still missing. My principal is in good condition.”
Two killed as Kaduna LP Reps candidate escapes assassination
The attack by gunmen on the residence of Suleman Tambaya in Gure village, Lere Local Government Area, Kaduna State occurred barely three months after gunmen killed Labour Party’s Women Leader, Mrs. Victoria Chimtex at her residence in Kaura Local Government Area of the state.
Two people were killed in the attack.
The Nation gathered that the suspected assassination attack occurred at about 10 pm on Friday when the House of Representatives candidate was away at a political meeting in Kaduna, the state capital.
Narrating his ordeal to our correspondent yesterday, Tambaya said but for divine intervention and prompt response from the members of the community and local vigilante, “it would have been a different story by now.”
He also commended the police in Lere for responding to the distress call made to them.
Tambaya said: “I was planning to go home yesterday (Friday), but I spoke to our governorship candidate and he asked me to come and see him. That was when I diverted and came to Kaduna.
“At about 10:00pm (Friday), about seven armed men came to my house in the village (Gure), asking about my whereabouts and that they said I was supposed to be home.
“Some young men in my house were able to escape and raised the alarm. Members of the community came and the vigilante too came out and confronted them.
“Unfortunately in the process, they (gunmen) killed two of our boys.
“You know the community has vigilante team and they responded immediately. But in the process, the gunmen shot two of our boys. One of the boys died on the spot while the other one died at the hospital.
“We reported the case to the Divisional Police Officer and he promptly mobilised personnel to the scene of the incident.”
Contacted on the telephone, the State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Mohammad Jalige, neither picked up nor responded to a text message sent to his mobile telephone.
Gunmen attack Imo LP assembly candidate’s home again
The country home of Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State House of Assembly candidate of the Labour Party (LP), was attacked by some gunmen in the early hours of yesterday.
His house, cars, and those of his father and uncles were burnt and destroyed by the gunmen who were said to have stormed the place in three vehicles.
Obiaraeri confirmed the attack on his country home in a statement he personally issued yesterday.
The statement reads: “Gunmen, surely known to their sponsors, went to my country home in Amagu Ihube to burn down my house and burn to ashes my operational factory vehicles parked there.
“They also destroyed my father’s house and that of my uncle. My aged mum and siblings are in Trauma!!!
“Three Hilux trucks loaded with bandits and killers went on a spree of burning houses and maiming people without anyone stopping them.
“I don’t know who I offended and why anyone would target me for destruction. I have not eaten anyone’s yam or fish.
“This is another evidence of the failure of the APC governments in Imo State and Aso Rock, Nigeria to live up to their OATH OF OFFICE of protecting the lives and properties of law-abiding Nigerians.”
