Nigerian Rep member Bamidele attacked in Ekiti

A member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Monday escaped death after an attack by suspected thugs.

The Ekiti lawmaker’s vehicle was attacked in Igede-Ekiti shortly after a trip to Ado-Ekiti, according to a report by NAN.

Bamidele (ACN-Ekiti) had gone to commiserate with the state government over the death of the former Deputy Governor, Funmilayo Olayinka.

The assailants reportedly shot at the Land Cruiser jeep conveying the lawmaker while another Black Prado jeep in his convoy was badly damaged.

Bamidele told newsmen after the attack that some of his supporters were also wounded in the incident.

He said four persons were arrested by the police and detained at the Okesa police station in Ado-Ekiti.

The lawmaker further alleged that some government officials were already mounting pressure on the Area Commander of Okesa Police Station to release the detainees.

Bamidele, who is representing Ado/Irepodun /Ifelodun Federal Constituency, said:

“I was in Igede Ekiti to complete the negotiation of an office accommodation for my Constituency office. As we were about leaving, we just heard the sound of a stone on the Prado jeep because I was conveyed to the town in that vehicle,

“But unknown to them, I had already entered the Land Cruiser my driver brought later.They attacked the Prado jeep, smashed the windscreen because they thought I was inside. They even shot at the Land Cruiser jeep when they realised that I was not in the Prado jeep, but I escaped by the whiskers.’’

The lawmaker, who linked the attack to his political ambition in 2014, urged the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities.

He said no amount of threat would dissuade him from pursuing his political aspiration in 2014.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Sotonye Wakama, confirmed the incident but declined comment on whether anyone had been arrested.