Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family residence has come under fresh attack, marking the second such incident in just over two months. The latest assault occurred Tuesday night in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to eyewitnesses, armed men stormed the residence under the cover of darkness and began vandalising the building, smashing windows and attempting to breach entry. Their attempt was interrupted by a joint team of local police, vigilantes, and irate community youths, who repelled the attackers after a confrontation. One suspect was arrested at the scene.
The arrested suspect, identified as Suberu Jose, is a native of the community and described as a suspected ritualist with known ties to political opposition elements in the state. He confessed to participating in the attack and admitted it was his third such operation against the senator’s household. A cutlass and fetish charms were reportedly recovered from him.
Local sources said a mob nearly lynched the suspect, but he was rescued and handed over to the police. Other attackers, believed to be armed with dangerous weapons, escaped into the night and are still at large.
This marks the first successful arrest in the series of violent attacks targeting the senator’s home. The previous incident, which occurred on April 15, 2025, led to widespread condemnation but yielded no arrests at the time.
The recurring violence comes amid heightened political tension following two separate criminal charges filed by the Federal Government against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The cases are linked to her public accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio — allegations that earned her a controversial six-month suspension from the Senate.
In a statement issued by her media office, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan called for calm. “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s commitment to truth and her tireless representation of her constituents should not be met with violence or intimidation. We call on the public to remain calm and steadfast in the pursuit of justice,” the statement read.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ayah, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered.
The latest attack raises serious questions about the security of public officials and the growing wave of politically motivated violence in Kogi Central.
