•Supporters injured•Vehicles damaged
The convoy of the Segun Oni Campaign Organisation (SOCO) was yesterday attacked by suspected thugs at Efon Alaaye in Efon Local Government of Ekiti State.
A statement by SOCO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, said the campaign train, which had toured nine local governments since Monday and was received by supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was attacked with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons at the centre of the town, around 3:30pm.
The statement said shortly after the SDP members had converged on the venue to wait for the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Segun Oni, the suspected thugs started to shoot. They reportedly attacked the SDP supporters with sticks and cutlasses.
Some supporters were injured and vehicles in the convoy were damaged by the thugs before the arrival of a detachment of police that overpowered the hoodlums.
An official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was not spared by the thugs, as they attempted to snatch his gun. He was injured, but he refused to surrender his gun.
Police spokesman ASP Sunday Abutu confirmed the attack.
He said gun-wielding thugs invaded the campaign ground of the former governor and made efforts to disrupt it.
“Yes, the hoodlums came to the venue with dangerous weapons to disrupt the consultation process of the SDP candidate, Oni, but our men were able to put the situation under control.
“The police have begun investigation and arrest will be made. Those behind it will surely have a case to answer,” Abutu said.