Tension gripped parts of Benin City on Friday evening after suspected armed political thugs reportedly attacked a residential home along the Siluko Road area while searching for a supporter of the opposition political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, numbering about nine, stormed the residence at approximately 4:45 p.m. on February 23, 2026, in search of Osamudiamen Benjamin Omoriyekemwen, a known supporter of the Obidient Movement who openly backed Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections.
Osamudiamen, also known as “Humble,” was reportedly being sought by the group over allegations that he had been mobilising supporters ahead of Obi’s planned visit to Benin City the following day.
Obi, who recently defected to the ADC, was scheduled to visit Benin on Saturday, February 24, as part of consultations with political stakeholders across the country, including former Edo State Governor John Odigie-Oyegun.
According to one of the victims, Christopher Emmanuel, the attackers—allegedly led by a known political thug said to be affiliated with supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—forced their way into the apartment and assaulted both him and his mother, leaving him with serious injuries.
Christopher recounted that the group demanded to know the whereabouts of his cousin.
“I overheard them saying they were looking for my cousin,” he said. “My mother told them that my cousin, Osamudiamen, had not lived with us for years and that she had not seen him for a long time.”
Despite the explanation, Christoper said the attackers insisted they had reliable information that Osamudiamen had been seen earlier that day with a friend, Osas Monday, at a shop where they were allegedly mobilising support for Obi’s visit.
The assailants reportedly forced their way into the apartment after refusing repeated pleas that the man they were looking for was not present.
Before leaving, the attackers allegedly warned the victims to relay a message to Osamudiamen, threatening to kill him wherever he was found. They also claimed that his photographs had been circulated to what they described as a “special squad” allegedly tasked with targeting opposition supporters ahead of upcoming political activities.
The incident has further heightened concerns about political intimidation and violence in Edo State, where tensions have been rising in the lead-up to future political engagements.
