Labour Party Campaigner Escapes Death in Attack by Suspected Political Thugs

Femi Ashekun/

A staunch supporter of the Labour Party (LP), Edwin Evbie, has narrowly escaped being killed by assailants suspected to be political thugs in Lagos.

NewsmakersNG learnt that Evbie, who gained some fame for creating several WhatsApp platforms, which he used to campaign vigorously for Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in this year’s election, was attacked in evening of Tuesday June 8, while driving home in his car.

He was reportedly beaten up and severely injured by the assailants, who attempted to abduct him but for the intervention of members of the public who responded to his shout for help.

He was later taken to the hospital by good samaritans, where he reportedly underwent an emergency surgery.

Speaking to NewsmakersNG during a visit to him at the hospital (name withheld) today, Evbie said he was grateful to God for saving his life. He however expressed fear for the safety of his family.

He said the attack wasn’t the first targeting him and his family in the aftermath of the presidential election, noting that he believed he was singled out for his dooged support for Mr Peter Obi, who against all odds won the presidential election in Lagos State, a feat that had never been achieved by a non-ruling party candidate.

Asked how he was sure the attack was politically motivated, Evbie said the June 8 attack was not the first against him and his family.

According to him, a group of gunmen raided his home on March 24 and believed only providence saved him and his family from getting killed.

His words, “Tuesday was not the first time I would be attacked. This had been going on for some time since after the elections. In fact, some gunmen visited my home on March 24, but luckily I was home alone and managed to escape before they could force their way in. They went ahead to vandalise some of our properties and also attempted to burn down the house. I believed their original intention was to kill me and only resorted to destroying our property out of anger.

“Also sometime in April, I was shot at by some men riding on a motorbike. At the time, I thought they could be armed robbers but now I know better.

“I’ve also been receiving a series of anonymous calls from people who threatened to deal with me for being one of those that cost them the presidential election in Lagos State.”

Evbie said at some point, he was forced to flee from Lagos with his family to an undisclosed part of the country and only just returned to Lagos before the latest incident.

He declined to disclose his next course of action but said he had no faith in the police to protect him and his family and would rather take his destiny in his own hands.

“I have no intention of reporting this latest incident to the police. How can I be sure they will not divulge whatever information I give them to those trying to kill me. I’ve not forgotten how they stood by while thugs were beating and maiming members of the Labour Party during the governorship election here in Lagos State. I prefer to make my own private security arrangements than rely on a clearly compromised police,” Evbie stated.

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