When SaharaReporters contacted the victims, they all confirmed the attack and destruction of their properties, wondering whether it had become an offence to be in an opposition political party in Nigeria.
Some hoodlums believed to be thugs working for the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Kogi State Government have again attacked members and supporters of Mr Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic party in the November 11, 2023 election in Kogi State.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the political thugs who wore masks invaded the residences of the SDP members in Okene and burnt all their belongings for allegedly preparing or testifying in the ongoing Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal against the election of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo.
"Today Ebira SDP supporters from Okene appeared in court as required by law to testify on irregularities in Okene in the last gubernatorial election in Kogi State," a community source told SaharaReporters.
"SDP witnesses from the Ebira speaking side of Okene appeared in court today and promised to appear anytime to testify in favour of their party SDP when called up," an SDP supporter told SaharaReporters.
"Unfortunately, this afternoon shortly after the court sitting, Hon. Agomi Yusuf's house was attacked. APC thugs brought out all his properties in his house and set them on fire. They also attacked Hon. Mumuni's Time Tell Pharmacy Idoji -Inike Junction, carted away valuables and burnt down the pharmacy.
"Mustapha Otinawu's family house at Ahogede Idozumi was attacked and destroyed. Hon. Agomi Yusuf's rented house at Okengwe was attacked and his wares brought outside and burnt," the SDP supporter who witnessed the incident told SaharaReporters.
When SaharaReporters contacted the victims, they all confirmed the attack and destruction of their properties, wondering whether it had become an offence to be in an opposition political party in Nigeria.
They lamented that the APC government and its thugs had continued to unleash terror on members of the opposition parties especially, members of the Social Democratic party because their candidate was challenging the election results in court.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on the telephone, Hon. Agomi Yusuf, whose house was among several houses and properties destroyed described the attack as crude, noting that no law in Nigeria or even Kogi State had criminalised being a member of an opposition party.
Narrating the incident, Yusuf, who was the Campaign Director-General of Ajaka for Kogi Central, lamented that security agencies were the enablers of the APC political thugs' attacks on opposition parties.
"It was this morning because I wasn't around, I was called that some supporters of APC invaded my house, broke into the rooms and parked all my belongings, destroyed my house, and burnt the entire property including my wares." On whether he has reported the incident to the police, he said "I am trying to make that contact now. The attack happened around 7:30am."
On why the APC supporters attacked his house, he said "Well they said I am a strong supporter of the SDP candidate. They alleged that I mobilised people to go and serve as a witness for him (Ajaka) at the election tribunal.
"The burning of my property is very crude because we are not in a one-party system. It is not a crime to be in opposition party but APC in Kogi State has criminalised being in opposition party and security agencies are enabling it."
Also speaking, Dahiru Orietesu, lamented that his pregnant wife was beaten blue and black, by the APC supporters not minding her condition.
According to him, doctors are still battling to save her life, noting that his offence was being a member of SDP and supporter of Ajaka to be governor of Kogi State.
"The thugs who masked their faces attacked my house, brought out wares and all my property, and destroyed. My pregnant wife was beaten and is in hospital right now. They said that all the people coming out to testify against the election of Ododo will be banished."
Another victim, Mustapha Otinawu, his family house at Ahogede, Idozumi was also attacked and destroyed.
When contacted on the telephone, he confirmed the attack and promised his commitment to the course to liberate Kogi from the shackles of Yahaya Bello and his thugs.
"We are not scared of Yahaya and we are prepared for him even before now. We have made official reports to security agents and hope to hear from them soon. This will not deter us from appearing in court to testify when needed," he promised.