TheCable

Wale Odunsi, deputy editor of Daily Post, an online newspaper, has petitioned Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), over alleged threat to his life by Edward Onoja (pictured), chief of staff to Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state.

In the petition submitted to the police headquarters on Monday, Odunsi said Onoja called him on Sunday and threatened to kill him over a story.

He said Bello’s chief of staff claimed that the story in question was false and asked that it be taken down.

Odunsi said he advised Onoja to write a formal complaint to his management but he declined.

“Mr. Onoja called me at exactly 10:39am on Sunday, April 8, 2018, via phone number 07088698212. The call was less than three minutes,” the petition read.

“He complained about a story we published about him and insisted it was false. I politely told him to write to our management to formally complain. But he dismissed my advice.

“He claimed the story was a hatchet job but I quickly replied him that some other media houses – including The Punch and Guardian Newspapers – reported similar story.

“Mr. Onoja continued to speak in harsh tones and told me point blank that he would order hit on me. I asked if he was threatening me and he said ‘Yes, mark my words. I will kill you’.

“He went on to say ‘Anywhere I see you, I will tear you apart’. These are weighty statements which any reasonable person must not take lightly.

“I am writing to you to please use your good office to investigate this threat before my life is cut short. Even though I believe God Almighty give and take life, a direct and unequivocal statement such as Mr. Onoja’s should not be swept under the carpet.”

Efforts to get Onoja’s side of the story was not successful as calls did not go through and there was no response to a  text message sent as of the time of filing this report.