TheCable

Suspected arsonists have burnt down the campaign office of Murtala Yakubu-Ajaka, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi.

NAN reports that the office, located on John Holt road, near Paparanda square in Lokoja, the capital city, was set on fire on Monday.

The incident is the second at the campaign office of the SDP candidate this month. On July 9, TheCable reported that the office was vandalised by suspected hoodlums while some items were set on fire.

Sam Ranti-Abenemi, the SDP deputy governorship candidate, alleged that the hoodlums were sponsored by political opponents, noting that a similar situation had occurred this month.

He confirmed that vehicles, computers and campaign materials were destroyed by the assailant, while other valuables were also carted away.

“We learnt that when the hoodlums arrived at the secretariat, they first set ablaze some of the vehicles parked in the premises before attacking the security men and then set ablaze the building,” he said.

“Some residents in the surrounding were able to help put out the inferno, but not without some valuables, including important documents being destroyed.

“We learnt the hoodlums came in large numbers and set all the properties in the office on fire, including generators, computers, campaign materials and televisions.”

Williams Ovye-Aya, the spokesperson of the Kogi police command, was not immediately available for comments when contacted.