The Edo State Police Command, on Wednesday, arrested the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, in Benin.
Abure was in Benin ahead of LP’s governorship primary slated for Friday.
The arrest sparked a protest by a crowd which besieged the Zone 5 headquarters of the Police Command in Benin City.
A blockade was mounted to stop the crowd from entering the police station, while the police spokesman, Tijani Momoh, explained that Abure was arrested in connection with a petition against him.
Momoh said, “There is a standing order for now that nobody should come in. Yes, the Labour Party National Chairman is here and it has to do with a petition that was referred to this office from the Inspector General of Police.
“There are video clips, recordings of the petitioner being assaulted, being beaten when he came home last year to conduct ward matters. It is a case of attempted murder, conspiracy, illegal possession of arms and other related offences.
“They were also in possession of firearms; a shortgun and three rounds of ammunition. Investigation is ongoing. They were just arrested today. More details will be provided later.”
Abure has been having running battles with some members of the party in the state over allegations of substituting candidates in the 2023 general elections, an allegation he had denied.
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