The assailants, believed to be targeting the Senator herself, reportedly vandalised windows in her late grandfather’s home before being repelled by a swift response from civil defence operatives and members of the local community.
Armed men have launched an attack on the family house of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Obeiba-Ihima, Kogi State, in what appears to be a politically motivated incident.
The assailants, believed to be targeting the Senator herself, reportedly vandalised windows in her late grandfather’s home before being repelled by a swift response from civil defence operatives and members of the local community.
According to what the media gathered on Thursday, the gunmen stormed the property on Tuesday night, under the false assumption that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was inside the house at the time of the attack.
A statement from the Senator’s media team condemned the attack as a “brazen and calculated assault,” suggesting that the incident may be linked to her outspoken criticism of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she recently accused of sexual harassment.
“The armed men, mistakenly believing the Senator was present, vandalised windows in her grandfather’s house,” the statement read.
“Fortunately, security operatives swiftly responded and repelled the attackers. This calculated assault appears to be a direct response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courageous stance against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.”
The media team further called on the Inspector General of Police to “immediately reinstate her security details” to ensure her safety.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also shared her account of the harrowing event to SaharaReporters.
“Two days ago, my younger brother took some contractors to my hometown in Ihima to inspect locations for upcoming projects I attracted to my senatorial district,” she said.
“The unknown gunmen assumed I was the one in town and attacked my family house that night. Thankfully, the civil defence team and community members responded promptly and chased them off. A report was made at the police area command, and no one was hurt.”
She urged the public to remain calm and not be intimidated by such violent tactics.
“We call on the public to remain calm and support the pursuit of justice. My dedication to speaking truth and representing my constituents should not be met with violence and intimidation,” the Senator said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, has been an outspoken advocate for transparency, women’s rights, and justice in governance.
The attack raises concerns about the safety of public officials who challenge entrenched political powers.
On April 11, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, strongly responded to a formal petition filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which she is accused of criminal defamation and incitement over allegations of an assassination plot.
But Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, speaking through her legal counsel Victor Giwa, said her comments were not made for political leverage but out of genuine fear for her safety.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate for six months under controversial circumstances earlier this year.
SaharaReporters on Thursday reported that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking an investigation into an alleged assassination plot made against him by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio denied the serious accusation and called for the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation.
The petition, which was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public outburst on April 1, 2025.
During a speech in Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to assassinate her in Kogi State, claiming that the act was intended to make it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
Akpabio categorically denied the accusation, calling it a “heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation.
In his petition, the Senate President labelled the allegation as politically motivated, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to incite political unrest and damage his public image.
He stressed that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence.
The Senate President also highlighted the severe impact of the false allegation, especially given its widespread coverage across media platforms, including radio, television, and social media. He had urged law enforcement agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
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