The All Progressives Congress (APC)’s lawmaker, representing Delta Central, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, at the weekend, narrowly escaped an attack by suspected assassins, The Guardian reports.
The incident occurred at Effurun market in Uvwie Local Council Area of Delta State, while carrying out an empowerment programme for his supporters. It was leant that one of the two bullets fired at him cropped his ear while his wife, Rosemary and some members of his team were also assaulted.
While about 200 women were due to be empowered with N20, 000 each, the attack occurred after he had reportedly attended to about 150 of them. Some of his supporters, who were seriously beaten up and injured, are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Effurun, near Warri.
In his reaction, Omo-Agege said he was grateful to God for saving his life, adding that he could not yet tell the motive behind the attempted killing. He said: “The bullet grazed through my right ear, if I was not lucky, I would have been dead. Two bullets were fired at me. My brother was shot and one of my supporters was almost killed at Ekpan market.
“Unfortunately, these took place in the presence of police officers who could not arrest any of them. I have taken a first step by reporting the matter at the Ekpan police station. I have equally spoken with the state commissioner of police.”
The lawmaker promised to take the matter to the highest level, adding that he would go to any length to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.
“What took me to these places was to show my appreciation to the people of Uvwie for voting for me in the last election, but some people felt threatened by my empowerment programme,” he said.
He said he was not just out to distribute grinding or sewing machines, as has been the tradition, but to add value to the people who sell tomatoes, pepper and iced fish in the market.
After the attack, Omo-Agege proceeded to Jigbale, Ubogo and Urhuvwerhun, where he also empowered more people, including commercial motorcycle riders.
The senator’s media aide, Mr. Aruviere Martin Egharhevwa, also explained that the gunmen shot sporadically, destroyed chairs and canopies at the event and wounded several people.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the APC has implored security agencies to investigate the attack and arrest those behind it.
The party Chairman, Jones Erue Ode, who made the call said: “The repugnant attack shows that the perpetrators and their sponsors are intimidated by the love and solidarity that the people have shown for him.
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