In a shocking turn of events, Mr Bertrand Onuoha, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, is facing accusations of deploying a mix of police personnel and thugs to ambush the legal team of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The alleged incident unfolded as SDP lawyers, along with forensic experts and INEC officers, were inspecting election materials in compliance with an order from the Kogi State Governorship Elections Tribunal.
Mr Faruk Adejoh Audu, spokesperson for the Muri/Sam Campaign network, claims, “Unuoha, allegedly complicit in the orchestrated insurrection, dispersed the thugs under pressure from Abuja after public outrage over the violent interference with the judicial process.”
Despite facing public outcry, Unuoha is purported to have devised a backup plan involving an ambush on SDP lawyers, forensic analysts, and INEC personnel.
The rogue police team, reportedly operating in plainclothes with thugs, is said to be using unmarked Toyota Sienna buses to cover exit routes from INEC.
Their alleged mission is to trail and shoot at the convoy of the SDP team, creating a pretext for the loss of crucial documents and materials.
The Kogi Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal had mandated INEC to allow the SDP legal team access to inspect materials and documents related to the November 11 elections.
The Muri-Sam Campaign Council asserts in a statement that any attack resulting in harm or loss of documents is orchestrated by Commissioner Unuoha, who is accused of transforming his office into a hub for thuggery activities aligned with Governor Yahaya Bello.
This is not the first time Unuoha has faced scrutiny. He was previously linked to the cold-blooded murder of five individuals, including three police officers, just days before the election.
The statement also highlights Unuoha’s earlier involvement in renting out policemen for thuggery operations.
The Muri-Sam Campaign Council calls on the global community to take note of these allegations and urges the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to reassign Commissioner Unuoha from Kogi to ensure the safety and security of the citizens.
Credit: Newsbeat