By Prosper Mene
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one suspect following a violent attack on the family residence of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, on Tuesday night, June 17, 2025. The incident, which marks the second assault on the senator’s ancestral home this year, has increased concerns over targeted political violence in Kogi Central.
According to a statement from the senator’s media team, a group of gunmen stormed the residence, vandalizing windows and other valuables in what appears to be a coordinated attack. The swift intervention of local police, community vigilantes, and youths thwarted the assailants, leading to the arrest of one suspect, identified as Suberu Jose, a native of the community allegedly linked to political opposition figures. Jose reportedly confessed to participating in three separate attacks on the senator’s family home, with a cutlass and charms recovered from him. Other attackers fled the scene.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, confirmed the incident, stating, “It’s true that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family house in Ihima was attacked on Tuesday.” The police have launched a full investigation to apprehend the remaining suspects and uncover the motives behind the attack. Eyewitnesses reported that an angry mob nearly lynched the arrested suspect before he was rescued and handed over to authorities.
This latest assault follows a similar attack on April 15, 2025, which caused property damage but resulted in no arrests.
In a statement, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the attack, urging residents of Kogi Central to remain calm and law-abiding. “We call on the public to support the pursuit of justice. My commitment to truth and representing my constituents should not be met with violence or intimidation,” she said. The senator’s media team suggested the attack may be linked to her outspoken advocacy, raising concerns about efforts to silence her.
The Kogi State Police Command has vowed to bring all perpetrators to justice, with Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye assuring the public that the investigation will be thorough. While the case unfolds, calls for enhanced security measures and a transparent probe into the motives behind the attacks are growing louder, both in Kogi State and across Nigeria.
