The Senator representing Kogi Central in the 10th Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on the Nigerian police to hold Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, former Governor, Yahaya Bello, and Governor Usman Ododo, responsible if any harm befalls her.
This comes after armed men attacked her family house in Obeiba-Ihima area, Kogi State, on Tuesday night, which had been linked to her recent political confrontations.
Armed men stormed the property under the assumption that the senator was present, vandalising windows in her late grandfather’s house before being repelled by civil defence operatives and local residents.
“Nigeria Police, I reiterate, should any harm befall me, Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ex Gov. Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State should be held responsible.”
The senator’s media team condemned the attack as a “brazen and calculated assault,” linking it to her recent accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio.
“The armed men, mistakenly believing the Senator was present, vandalised windows in her grandfather’s house,” the team said in a statement.
“Fortunately, security operatives swiftly responded and repelled the attackers. This calculated assault appears to be a direct response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courageous stance against Senate President Godswill Akpabio,” it added.
Narrating the incident to newsmen, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “Two days ago, my younger brother took some contractors to my hometown in Ihima to inspect locations for upcoming projects I attracted to my senatorial district.
The unknown gunmen assumed I was the one in town and attacked my family house that night. Thankfully, the civil defence team and community members responded promptly and chased them off. A report was made at the police area command, and no one was hurt.”
She further urged the public to remain calm and continue supporting justice.
“We call on the public to remain calm and support the pursuit of justice. My dedication to speaking truth and representing my constituents should not be met with violence and intimidation,” she said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate earlier for six months, amid growing tensions with Senate leadership.
On April 11, 2025, she responded through her lawyer to a petition from Akpabio accusing her of criminal defamation and incitement, saying her remarks stemmed from genuine fear for her safety.
Newsmen reported that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking an investigation into an alleged assassination plot made against him by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio denied the serious accusation and called for the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation.
The petition, which was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public outburst on April 1, 2025.
During a speech in Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to assassinate her in Kogi State, claiming that the act was intended to make it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
Akpabio categorically denied the accusation, calling it a “heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation.
In his petition, the Senate President labelled the allegation as politically motivated, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to incite political unrest and damage his public image.
He stressed that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence.
The Senate President also highlighted the severe impact of the false allegation, especially given its widespread coverage across media platforms, including radio, television, and social media.
He had urged law enforcement agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved.
