The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a suspect, Udeme Sunday Stephen, in connection with the attack on the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City, Edo State.
The incident reportedly occurred last Tuesday at the residence of a chieftain of the ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, shortly after Obi and other party leaders returned from the ADC secretariat. They had earlier attended a ceremony formally welcoming the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, into the ADC.
According to the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, the attack happened after the delegation left the party secretariat and arrived at Oyegun’s residence.
Following the incident, the suspect allegedly took to his X (formerly Twitter) account, @stevetom788, where he claimed responsibility for the attack and issued further threats against Obi. In the post, he suggested that Obi was fortunate to have escaped unharmed and warned of additional attacks.
“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one.
“I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target… Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die,” he had said.
A source within the DSS disclosed that immediately after the threats were issued, operatives launched a covert investigation, deploying forensic tools to trace and apprehend the suspect.
The source identified Stephen as a 26-year-old teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, located in Umuehere Community, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect. You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage, VIP protection, among other asset protection duties, the DSS is always alive to its responsibility of investigating credible intelligence, irrespective of tribe or religion.
“They swiftly deployed operatives, and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody. The suspect would soon be charged in court,” the source said.
Security authorities are expected to proceed with prosecution as investigations continue.
