The recent gubernatorial election in Kogi, a state in North central Nigeria, has continued to record more casualties, as suspected political thugs is reported to have set ablaze Mrs Acheju Abuh, the Women Leader of PDP’s Wada/Aro Campaign Council, at her home at Ochadamu in Ofu local government area of the state, just days after the election.
The woman was burnt on Monday afternoon by suspected thugs alleged to be loyal to the ruling party in the state.
It was learnt that the suspected thugs who invaded the home of the victim at about 2:00pm, locked all exits in the house and poured petrol on it before setting the place on fire.
The suspected thugs were said to have prevented locals from coming to the rescue of the woman as they shot sporadically to scare people away and kept watch until the building had been razed. She reportedly attempted to escape through a window but was prevented by the metal burglary proof and gun shots with bullets raining in her direction.
The Kogi Police Command”s Spokesman, William Aya, while confirming the incident, said it was case of culpable homicide and mischief by fire.
He said on November 18, 2019 at about 4:30 pm, one Musa Etu of Ochadamu, Ofu LGA reported at the station that, at about 1030 of same date, there was a misunderstanding between one Awolu Zekeri, aged 35 years and member of APC and one Gowon Simeon, a member of PDP-both of Ochadamu.
Aya went to explain that, “in the process, Gowon Simeon stabbed Awolu Zekeri with a knife on his lap and he (Zekeri) died on his way to the hospital.
“As a result, angry youths in the area mobilized to the house of one Simeon Abuh of same address who is an uncle to the suspect, set it ablazed, thereby burnt one Salome Abuh aged 60 years.
“Three other houses were equally burnt. The corpse has been moved to the University Teaching Hospital Mortuary Anyigba for Autopsy. “Meanwhile, the Police Mobile Force and Police Special Forces have been drafted to the area to prevent any breakdown of law and order. The investigation is ongoing”, Aya said.