The Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress was attacked by suspected political thugs on Wednesday night in Benin City.
The hoodlums attempted to set the building on Ogbelaka Street ablaze by pouring fuel in parts of the facility. When they failed to ignite the fire, they vandalized windows and other items before fleeing the scene.
In a viral video from the incident, a narrator claimed the attackers tried to burn down the building but were resisted by residents in the area.
Confirming the attack, the state Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, said the thugs were armed with 10 litres of fuel. He suggested the motive was political intimidation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Some politicians want ADC to leave the state so that no other political party would contest the 2027 election apart from them. Election is a game that requires everybody’s participation,” Odion stated.
He reported the incident to security agencies and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the attack. She said a report was received around 8:00 pm on Wednesday, and police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene.
A preliminary assessment found malicious damage to party flags and two shattered windows. Security has been reinforced at the location, and investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible.
