BENIN CITY- Ahead of the gubernatorial election, the Youth Wing of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) allegedly unleashed mayhem on the residence of a chieftain of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Ambassador Austin Godswill Enehizena, destroying property worth millions of Naira.
The attack led by the Youth Leader of the APC in the State, Osakpanmwan Eriyo, was apparently on the mandate to eliminate Enehizena over his refusal to defect from his party and join ruling party.
According to reports, the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole had overtime entreated this PDP Chieftain to join the APC in order to assist him prosecute his campaign for his second tenure which Enehizena refused.
It was gathered that the opposition chieftain had since his refusal remained on the black book of the Governor, as he beamed his satellite to finding faults from him if possible .
The attack which took place recently led to the wantom destruction of properties belonging to the Oredo Ward II Chairman, Austin Godswill Enehizena, as well as looting of his personal effects by the hoodlums.
The properties destroyed by the armed hoodlums include a Nissan Quest Space Bus 2009 Model branded with President Goodluck Jonathan re-election photo, glass windows and doors; while laptop computers, electronics, jewelry and other valuables were reportedly carted away by the political thugs.
The APC youths had claimed that it invaded Enehizena’s residence on the allegation that he fraudulently engaged some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the continuous voters’ registration exercise in his private residence, and that they were bound to assassinate whenever they get hold of him.
Meanwhile, INEC through its Spokesperson, Priscillia Imoudu Sule debunked the allegation, as she maintained that the Commission had its Polling Units where registration were been carried out by their officials.
Sule described such invasion as being politically motivated which ought not to have been imagined at this era of computer technology. She therefore warned the youths not to allow them to be used to truncate the current democratic process in the Country.
Similarly, the Police Spokesman, Mr Abiodun said the Command was aware of the incident and that they could smell government’s hands on the matter.
He added that the victim would have escaped for his dear life.
When our Crime Correspondent visited the scene, the house was completely deserted but battered vehicles were seen in the premises with their windscreen and house windows louvres shattered on the ground, as well as the front door of the house that was burgled.
An eyewitness told Our Correspondent that the residents of the area are now enveloped in a palpable fear following the invasion of dare-devil men who sporadically fired gunshots
in anger and disappointment for not meeting their target (Enehizena) at home
Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of Ambassador Austin Godswill Enehizena could not not be ascertained.
