Rep Agbese Unhurt As Gunmen Strike During Easter Outreach In Benue, Suspects Arrested

Deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, on Thursday, escaped assassination attempt.

Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, was said to have been attacked in Igumale, the headquarters of his local government area of Ado, during a constituency outreach organised to mark the Easter celebration.

It was also gathered that, for the swiftly intervention of the ‘Operation Whirlwind’ of the Nigerian Armed Forces on peace keeping mission in the area, the assassins would have had their ways.

Some of the suspects were said to have been arrested by the military operation and giving useful information.

“Thanks to the swift response of security operatives present at the scene, the Enone Representative managed to evade harm, averting a potential tragedy. Several of the suspected perpetrators were promptly apprehended, shedding light on the disturbing chain of events,” an witness said.

“I am in shock! I am in a great shock!! I can’t talk to you right now, please”, Agbese told our Correspondent last night.

But Lawrence Oduh, a media Aide to Agbese, confirmed the attack, adding the suspects have also made stunning revelations to the military operation during the preliminary investigation witnessed by the locals.

As of the time of filling this report, there is no official comment from the military operations in Benue or the Army authorities on the matter.

The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue has been enmeshed with crisis since Governor Alia took over the affairs of the State with members of the National Assembly Caucus at the forefront.

Agbese, who is the spokesperson of the Caucus was seen in December 2023, removing the portrait of Governor Alia from his office in National Assembly, the move which did not go down well with the State Government and some stakeholders..