Pandemonium broke out on Thursday in Ovade, Oghara, in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State after gunmen reportedly invaded the venue of the All Progressives Congress local government congress, forcing a federal lawmaker, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, to flee under tight security.
Ibori-Suenu, who represents Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was said to have just arrived at the venue when armed men allegedly stormed the area, firing shots and preventing delegates from accessing the field designated for the exercise.
The lawmaker is the daughter of former Delta State governor, James Ibori.
Eyewitnesses told journalists that tension had been building moments before gunfire erupted, triggering a stampede as party members and supporters scrambled for safety.
“We ran in different directions. Some people fell and sustained injuries. They blocked the entrance and started shooting,” a witness recounted, adding that the attackers were visibly armed.
Members of the lawmaker’s entourage alleged that the assailants specifically targeted her and attempted to bar her from gaining entry into the venue. An aide claimed that the shooting commenced shortly after she was denied access.
Security operatives attached to Ibori-Suenu reportedly formed a protective shield around her and swiftly evacuated her from the scene. Sources disclosed that some members of her security team sustained injuries while responding to the attack.
Several party faithful were also said to have been injured in the ensuing chaos, although the exact number of casualties had yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report. Some of the injured were reportedly treated at nearby medical facilities.
An aide to the lawmaker described the incident as a calculated assault, alleging that certain interests were displeased with the ongoing congress process. However, no official evidence has been presented to back the claim, and security agencies had yet to announce any arrests.
Despite the disruption, Ibori-Suenu was said to have remained composed and urged her supporters to maintain peace.
She reportedly appealed to aggrieved members not to resort to violence, stressing the need to remain law-abiding in the face of provocation.
As of press time, security authorities had not issued a formal statement on the incident. Party stakeholders are, however, expected to push for a thorough investigation to unmask those behind the attack and safeguard subsequent congress activities.