The Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a suspect in the recent attack on Peter Obi in Benin, Edo State’s capital.
The arrest followed threats made online shortly after the incident, which aroused public outrage and elicited responses from political figures.
According to Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Obi and some African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders were attacked at the home of party senior member John Odigie-Oyegun last Tuesday.
Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party’s candidate for Edo governorship in 2024, also revealed that his relative was injured during the event. He claimed the victim’s head was smashed with a bottle during the ruckus.
Shortly after the incident, a man named Udeme Stephen purportedly claimed credit in a post on his X account, @stevetom788. He also promised more violence against Obi.
In the post, Stephen stated that Obi was “lucky” to have survived the Benin attack and warned that he would not be spared during future visits, including one to Rivers State.
“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State but he mistook our resolves to obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he survived this one,” he wrote.
“I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State. No wahala. Na my MEN go handle that one and dem no dey miss target.”
“Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die one.”
According to a security insider, DSS agents launched a covert inquiry right after, using forensic equipment to track down the suspect.
According to the source, the 26-year-old was found in Rivers State, where he works as a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect,” the source said.
“You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage and VIP protection, among other asset protection duties, the DSS is always alive to its responsibility of investigating credible intelligence, irrespective of tribe or religion.
“They swiftly deployed operatives, and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody.”
According to the source, the suspect will shortly be arraigned in court.
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