Published Saturday, February 15, 2014
ELECTORAL VIOLENCE: POLICE DECLARED ONE EKPU HARRISON AND OTHERS WANTED WANTED
By Ehis Ogodebarue
Uromi: Following the violence that rocked the Local Government Chairmanship Bye Election in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, which took place at Efandion Primary School premises on the 29th day of October, 2013 some youths of the People's Democratic Party, (PDP) who include; Ekpu Harrison, Youth Leader- Emmanuel Uyi, Steven Agho Akiabue James have been declared wanted by the Police.
The election's violence which spiled over to the next day, resulting to the destruction and burning of shops in the locality had caused severe panic amongst residents of the area before the arrival of the Nigerian Police and Army who came to calm the situations.
A journalist from the Nigerian Observer Newspaper, as at the time of filing this report, learnt that the violence started when one of the Chieftain of the opposition party, known as the, " All Progressives Congress, (APC) Mr. Sam Oboh, brought in some Fierce Looting Thugs who attempted to seize the Ballot Box and replace it with already fingerprinted Ballot Boxes.
It was also gathered that the Thugs move to hijack the Ballot Boxes was resisted by Ekpu Harrison, the Youth Leader, Emmanuel Uyi, Steven Agho and Akiabue James, supporters of the People's Democratic Party, (PDP), led by the PDP Chieftain in the Ward, Mr. John Yakubu, thereby resulting to the violence and indiscriminate shooting by Mr. Sam Oboh's four Thugs sustaining gun injuries.
Others who also injured by the stray bullets include; the Polling Unit's Clerk, Mr. Godspower Ohio, voters and the Returning Officers in the various Polling Units of the Ward.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police had claimed in a statement signed by the Assistant Superintendent Police, (ASP)/ Police Public Relations Officer, ( PPRO), Edo State Police Command, Mr. Ogboh Peter on the Thursday, February 13 2014, informed the general public that Ekpu Harrison and other youths are wanted for the alleged involvements in the fracas and disrupted the Local Government Council Chairmanship Bye Election in Efandion Primary School premises, Ward five, Uromi in Esan North East Local Government of Edo State.
The statement is designed and written as follows, " WANTED PERSON. The Edo State Police Command, today Thursday, 13th day of February, 2014 hereby declare one Ekpu Harrison, whose picture is displayed here wanted over Electoral Violence in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
He speaks Esan and English languages. He is about 5ft tall, dark in complexion and with a tribal mark on his face.
The public with useful information that lead the his whereabout to please report same to the nearest Police Station for handsome reward."
However, a reliable source who spoke with the Nigerian Observer Newspaper Reporter, on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that Ekpu Harrison, the Ward five Youth Leader, has escaped from the community following the repeated threats and attempts on his life and those of his party members by hireling Thugs of Mr. Sam Oboh.
According to the source," The matter was reported to the security agencies, but unfortunately, they seem not to be doing anything about it. Though I am not surprise by their attitudes since they have exhibited a look warm behavior on this issue right from the inception."
