The Nigeria Police Force has commenced an investigation into the attack on the African Democratic Congress, ADC, secretariat in Edo State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Eno Ikoedem, said the command received a distress call at about 8:55 p.m. on Wednesday, reporting that suspected hoodlums had invaded the party’s secretariat in Benin City.
According to the police, the assailants destroyed campaign banners, damaged a vehicle, and shattered glass windows in the building.
“Following a distress call received from the control room in Benin, reporting that suspected hoodlums had invaded the party’s premises and were destroying properties, police operatives were immediately mobilized to the scene to restore normalcy,” the Edo State Police spokesperson said.
A video circulating online also showed that the attackers attempted to set the structure ablaze by pouring fuel on it, but the fire was reportedly averted through the intervention of passersby.
Ikoedem said police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene after the distress call, and normalcy was restored.
He added that a preliminary assessment of the premises revealed damage to party flags and two broken windows.
The command has since deployed security personnel to the area to prevent further attacks, while investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible.
The police spokesperson commended the prompt report made to the control room, noting that it helped prevent escalation of the incident.
He also warned miscreants against engaging in similar acts, stressing that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
Residents were urged to promptly report emergencies through the police control room lines: 08077773721 and 08037646272.
Complaints can also be lodged via the Police Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) on 08150999335.
