Gunmen launch deadly attack over 2015 election dispute in Benin City

Benin City—Tension escalated in Benin City, Edo State, as gunmen, suspected to be secret cult members, invaded the residence of one Mr. Vincent Bassey, located on Upper Sakponba Road. The attack, which reportedly stems from electoral malpractices and ballot box snatching during the 2015 presidential election, has left the community on edge.
Bassey, who is now on the run, has been accused by security operatives of being involved in the disruption of the election. Along with a group of youths, he is alleged to have caused unrest and stolen electoral materials in various polling stations across the city.
Eyewitness reports indicate that chaos erupted during the election at one polling center when some youths, believed to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), attempted to disrupt proceedings. The disruption reportedly occurred after the APC youths discovered that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was leading in several polling units in Benin City.
In response, Bassey and a group of PDP youths tried to prevent the APC youths from interfering with the election process. A violent confrontation ensued, leaving several injured. Tragically, one of the APC youths was killed during the skirmish, which forced voters and security operatives to flee the scene. During the confusion, electoral materials, including ballot boxes, were stolen.
Following the incident, APC supporters accused Bassey and his group of being responsible for the violence and the theft of electoral materials. The attack on Bassey’s home is believed to be an act of retaliation. According to local sources, the suspected cultists, who are believed to be APC members, set his house ablaze and killed his younger brother, Vincent Junior, who reportedly confronted them.
The gunmen have vowed to kill Bassey if they find him. Residents of Upper Sakponba are now living in fear as the situation remains tense. Security operatives are reportedly on Bassey’s trail, while efforts to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice continue.