By,Asazabor precious
Security concerns have intensified across Benin City following reports of an armed assault targeting a high-profile political gathering involving former presidential candidate Peter Obi and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, 24 February, 2026, has sparked a heated exchange of allegations, with opposition figures accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the violence.
The unrest reportedly began shortly after a scheduled event at the ADC secretariat, where the former Labour Party governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, formally defected to the ADC. Despite a lack of prior public advertisement, the visit drew significant crowds to the area.
According to witness accounts and viral footage shared by activist Oruche Ogeamara Precious, known as ‘Mama Pee’ the atmosphere turned volatile once formal security details had withdrawn from the venue. Mrs Precious alleged that the attackers purposefully timed their strike to coincide with the departure of law enforcement, suggesting a coordinated effort to intimidate attendees.
Incursion into the Government Reservation Area (GRA)
The violence reportedly followed the delegation to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the former National Chairman of the APC, situated within the high-security Government Reservation Area.
Reports indicate that individuals on motorcycles arrived at the premises, discharging firearms and causing significant damage to parked vehicles. The brazen nature of the attack in a heavily monitored district has raised questions regarding the efficacy of local security responses.
> “It is deeply concerning that such an incident could occur in a high-security zone with a known police presence in the immediate vicinity,” Mrs Precious stated in a video report circulated on social media platforms.
The National Coordinator of the ‘Obidient Movement’, Yunusa Tanko, issued a stern ‘Red Alert’ statement following the events. He described the incident as a direct affront to democratic participation and an intentional attempt to stifle opposition voices through state-sponsored thuggery.
Mr Tanko confirmed that while property was destroyed and shots were fired, the primary targets including Mr Obi and other ADC officials remained unharmed. He characterised the event as a “deliberate act of intimidation” during a pivotal moment of political realignment in Edo State.
At the time of publication, the All Progressives Congress has not issued a formal rebuttal to these allegations. Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to release a statement regarding the security breach in the GRA or the reported gunfire.
Support ACJ UNIBEN's goal of always bringing truth to light.
Excellent campus journalism requires financial support. Yet, it is this very journalism that contributes to an informed campus community, transparency in educational institutions, and an engaged student body. To continue offering free access to top-notch campus journalism, we invite you to consider making a modest contribution to this worthwhile endeavor. Your support for ACJ UNIBEN's campus journalism ensures its relevance and availability to all students, free of charge, fostering an informed and active campus community.
DONATE