November 18, (THEWILL) – Operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command have foiled attempts by hoodlums, to set fire on the State Assembly complex.
According to The Nation, the hoodlums scaled the fence and made spirited efforts to raze a section of the complex.
Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the development, said the hoodlums, numbering 10, carrying two 25 litre kegs of petrol, were repelled by men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
Abutu said: “I can confirm to you that these hoodlums carrying two kegs filled with petrol and also armed with cutlasses and other weapons came to burn down the assembly in the wee hours of today (Friday).
“The intention they had was that police had left the place because our patrol vehicles had been withdrawn from the two gates. They thought the place was no longer under security cover. They came through a section of the complex, but they were resisted.
“The operatives of the RRS gave them a hot chase into the bush and recovered two kegs filled with petrol from them, among other dangerous exhibits.
“We want to warn our people not to turn the assembly into a theatre of war. It is an arm of government that must be respected. They called it hallowed chambers, so people should desist from creating unnecessary crises.
“Let me also say that our men and officers are on ground to repel any dangerous moves being made by mischief makers to spark up trouble in any part of the state.”
The Assembly had been thrown into crisis since the emergence of the ex-Minority Leader, Gboyega Aribisogan, as Speaker on Tuesday, to replace Funminiyi Afuye, who died on October 19, 2022.
THEWILL gathered that his emergence had not gone well with some lawmakers and some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.
Following intelligence reports, the State Police boss, Moronkeji Adesina, deployed watertight security to the complex, to ensure safety and security of lives and property.
