The Esan Northeast Local government council chairman Mr Kelly Inedegbeor has denied the statement by Agogo Daniel, one of the many armed thugs arrested by men of the Nigeria Police near the scene of the recent Edo PDP rally at Uromi, headquarters of Esan Northeast Local government area of Edo state, that he gave him guns.
In a statement by Okonofua Harry Osemobor, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kelly Inedegbeor said, “The apprehended culprit never mentioned in the video that he has a link with the council boss and the council boss has no relationship or whatsoever with the apprehended criminal. We advised members of the public to kindly watch the said video for a review”.
He said , “Listening to the video been circulated by these disgruntled elements trying to rope the chairman into the mess just to make a meaning out of nothing is rather unfortunate”.
However, the thug, a resident of Evboiyi near Uromi, told the Police in the now viral video that along with other named thugs, the chairman he named as Kelly allotted him 2 cut-to-size guns and a supply of ammunition through one of the aide names Noel, to protect him, while the rally lasted.
The full text of Mr Kelly Inedegbeor’s statement is as follows, “APC at it again: Spreading Falsehood:
We have been inundated with calls regarding the video being spread by suspected APC Akpakomiza Media Urchins/Hon Odi Okojie media team, in particular one Enaholo Abel Enaholo. We would have ordinary ignored but as a responsible and responsive government, it is important we take them to the cleaners on this issue.
“Listening to the video been circulated by these disgruntled elements trying to rope the chairman into the mess just to make a meaning out of nothing is rather unfortunate.
However their plans to rope the Executive Chairman, its important we draw the following conclusions, “There is no record of any possessions of illegal firearms in the hands of the council boss either in the past nor in the present. He has never empowered, nor support nor show any solidarity to any illegal armed group within or outside the state. If there’s anything he’s known for, is for his peaceful nature striving hard to ensure the local government is safe from criminal elements
“The apprehended culprit never mentioned in the video that he has a link with the council boss and the council boss has no relationship or whatsoever with the apprehended criminal. We advised members of the public to kindly watch the said video for a review.
“The culprit confessed that the weapons found in his hands are properties of the secret cult he belongs to. He never roped the council boss to been part of his cult group or any other cult groups.
“The chairman welcomes the arrest of the criminal by men of the vigilante group who has been handed over to the police for further investigations
“Invariably, the apprehended criminal may have been sponsored to mix up with the crowd to cause mayhem, an Intelligence we got on time, hence we fortified our rally with security agencies to ensure a hitch free rally.
“Despite their failed attempt to disrupt the process, they are yet to recover from the shock of their life they received as a result of the massive turnout for Asue by the good people of Uromi and Uzea a dangerous signal that the good people of Uromi-Uzea have rejected their candidate who can’t differentiate a zoo from a museum”.
