Chief Joseph Alake, an APC stalwart in Ekiti State on Wednesday was attacked by political thugs and as a result left eight police officers including a Divisional Police Officer in Efon Alaaye of Ekiti State injured.
This was disclosed during a political stakeholders meeting organised by law enforcement agencies in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ado Ekiti, yesterday.
Alake stated that some thugs invaded his house at about 11am on the said day and fired several gunshots with the motive of killing him and those of his household because he had been associating with the opposition in Efon Local Government Area.
“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.”
Taiwo Lakanu, the Commissioner of Police, confirmed the attack at the forum, saying that when he got the report, he immediately tasked his men to rescue Alake. He advised political parties to play the game according to laid down rules.
“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,” he affirmed.
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