Gunmen attack: Natasha reveals who should be held responsible if harm befalls her

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the 10th National Assembly, has publicly stated that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and the current Governor Usman Ododo should be held responsible if anything happens to her.

The lawmaker’s declaration follows a violent incident on Tuesday night, when armed individuals attacked her family residence in Obeiba-Ihima, Kogi State—a move her team believes is politically motivated.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attackers believed the senator was in the building at the time. They proceeded to damage windows in the home of her late grandfather before being repelled by members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local residents.

“Nigeria Police, I reiterate, should any harm befall me, Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ex Gov. Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State should be held responsible,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated in a Facebook post.

In a statement, her media team strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “brazen and calculated assault,” which they linked to her recent accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio.

“The armed men, mistakenly believing the Senator was present, vandalised windows in her grandfather’s house,” the statement read.“Fortunately, security operatives swiftly responded and repelled the attackers. This calculated assault appears to be a direct response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courageous stance against Senate President Godswill Akpabio,” it continued.

Sharing further details, the senator explained: “Two days ago, my younger brother took some contractors to my hometown in Ihima to inspect locations for upcoming projects I attracted to my senatorial district.

The unknown gunmen assumed I was the one in town and attacked my family house that night. Thankfully, the civil defence team and community members responded promptly and chased them off. A report was made at the police area command, and no one was hurt.”

She appealed for calm and encouraged the public to stand firm in the face of intimidation.

“We call on the public to remain calm and support the pursuit of justice. My dedication to speaking truth and representing my constituents should not be met with violence and intimidation,” she added.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, a move that came amid rising friction between her and the leadership of the legislative body.

In response to a petition from Senate President Akpabio—who accused her of criminal defamation and incitement—Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her legal counsel, stated that her claims were borne out of legitimate concern for her personal safety.

Senator Akpabio also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requesting an investigation into what he described as a false assassination claim by the senator.

In the petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio refuted the allegation, branding it a “heinous lie” and an attempt to destroy his reputation. He also sought Akpoti-Uduaghan’s prosecution.

The petition, which was also addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), came in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statement made publicly on April 1, 2025.

During a speech in Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio had instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to orchestrate her assassination, in a manner that would frame her constituents for the act.

Akpabio firmly denied the allegation, labeling it as both politically motivated and entirely baseless.

He noted the potential ramifications of such a claim, especially due to its widespread circulation on various media platforms. The Senate President urged authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and hold accountable those found culpable.