Police in show of force arrest Labour Party National Chairman + Photos
…LP’s Abure Arrested For Attempted Murder — Police
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure.
According to available information, Abure was arrested on Wednesday in a show of force by policemen publicly.
His arrest was effected, in Benin City, the Edo State capital, over allegations of premeditated attempted murder amongst others.
This followed a petition by the Youth Leader of the Labour Party, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, who petitioned the Commissioner, Edo State Police Command.
The petition by Anselm reads: “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.
“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.
“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.
“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.
“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed ‘stakeholders.’
“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua, up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.
“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”
LP’s Abure Arrested For Attempted Murder — Police
The Nigeria Police Force says Labour Party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, was arrested for attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offences.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force Zone 5, Tijani Momoh, said Abure was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Momoh told newsmen that Abure and four others were arrested over a petition written against them by a petitioner whose name he did not mention.
He said, “I wish to confirm the arrest of the factional chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure and four others.
“It has to do with a written petition that was endorsed by the AIG Zone 5 from the office of the Inspector General of Police.”
He said an allegation of attempted murder was levelled against Abure. “There are video clips, recordings of the petitioner being assaulted, being beaten when he came home last year to conduct ward matters,” Momoh said.
“It is a case of attempted murder, conspiracy, illegal possession of arms and other related offences.
“They were also in possession of firearms; a short gun and three rounds of ammunition.
“Investigation is ongoing. They were just arrested today. More details will be provided later,” the police spokesman added.
