Ondo Senatorial candidate escapes fourth assassin attack

The Akure residence of the Ondo south Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Boluwaji Kunlere, was invaded by gunmen yesterday morning, making the fourth time the house would be attacked in recent times.

Mr. Kunlere, a former special adviser on political affairs to the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, was one of the few aides of the governor who resigned few months ago to seek elective positions. He had lost the senatorial race to Hosea Ehinlawo of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2007 elections.

NEXT gathered that the gunmen, who came around 1.55 am, were said to have climbed a tree behind the residence in order to gain access into the building. Armed with dangerous weapons, the gunmen were, however, restricted from entering the house by the quick intervention of the night guards and the dogs that were at alert.

The hoodlums, after sighting the security, later ran away when they could not gain entry into the residence.

Narrating his ordeal to reporters, Mr. Kunlere explained that the attack on his residence was politically motivated, adding that some people have been sending threatening text messages to his perceived supporters.

One of the messages, which was in Yoruba, reads, “Egberun Samuel, kole sa mo wa lowo (You cannot escape from us).”

“Around 1.55 am, while the guards and the dogs were moving round, some gunmen climbed the tree behind my house to gain entry into the building. Immediately they sighted the guards, they opened fire into the compound,” he said.

“They later jumped down and took to their heels, where it was discovered that they parked a vehicle 200 metre ways,” he added.

While trying to escape, one of the robbers jumped into the compound of a block making industry and destroyed some of the blocks.

“The attack on me is politically motivated. My friends and supporters have been threatened through text messages. My driver, Saheed Jimoh, and my supporters such as Remi Olatubora, Lanre Adebowale, Idowu Ogunmade are few out of those who are being threatened by these faceless people.”

Police action

Mr. Kunlere, however, commended the police for their quick response: “unlike in 2006 that they did not respond to our calls when some hoodlums came to my house and attacked my family members, including my wife.”

He appealed to police to probe the attack on his house and the text messages being sent to his supporters.

“I am urging the state police commissioner and the higher authorities not to allow my case to be another unresolved murder case like that of Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Kudirat Abiola, Dele Giwa, Dipo Dina, and Funsho Williams.

“A stitch in time saves nine. The police must do everything in their capacity to unravel those behind this attack on me,” he said.

The acting spokesperson of the state police command, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident. He said the command was already investigating the matter. He, however, noted that the hoodlums were armed robbers who came to the area to rob the residents of the area.

“One of the policemen attached to Kunlere’s house shot into the air to scare the robbers, who were robbing in the vicinity,” he said.

Source:http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5643902-146/ondo_senatorial_candidate_escapes_fourth_assassin.csp