Police Block Attempted Arson Attack at Ekiti Assembly

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Ekiti State Police Command, yesterday, repelled alleged attempt by some hoodlums to burn down Ekiti State House of Assembly complex.

The incident, according to grapevine, happened around 4am yesterday, when the hoodlums were said to have scaled the fence and made spirited efforts to spray a section of the complex with petrol and set it ablaze, thereby creating atmosphere of security breach.

Crisis emanated in the Assembly on Tuesday, following the election of the lawmaker representing Ikole constituency 1, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan, as the Speaker, to replace the late Funminiyi Afuye, who died on October 19, 2022.

In the election conducted during plenary, Aribisogan garnered a total of 15 votes to defeat the lawmaker representing Emure constituency, Hon Olubunmi Adelugba, who scored 10.

Since that day, there had been deep-seated animosity among the lawmakers, as some of them and powerful leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress were said to be favourably disposed to Adelugba’s speakership.

Sensing danger and ominous signs of security breach, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Morounkeji Adesina, deployed his men to shut down the assembly to ensure safety and security of lives and property.

The staff of the assembly were also chased out in the process to prevent being caught in the web of looming factional crisis.

Speaking on the alleged arson attack in a telephone conversation, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the attempted attack.

Abutu revealed that the hoodlums, numbering 10, carrying two 25 litre kegs of petrol, had allegedly invaded the assembly around 4am and made efforts to set it ablaze.

He said the men and officers of RRS, who were on ground and strategically positioned, repelled them, to and gave the hoodlums a hot chase into the nearby bush.