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By Akindele Orimolade –
The internal crisis within the Labour Party escalated into violence on Tuesday night as hoodlums stormed the party\u2019s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, and vandalised property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attackers specifically targeted the large banner of the party\u2019s Acting National Chairman, Hadjia Nnanadi Usman, mounted inside the premises and facing the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eyewitnesses said the incident began around 8:02 p.m. when a car and a tricycle dropped off several of the hoodlums near the secretariat. About five minutes later, at approximately 8:07 p.m., the intruders broke the padlock securing the gate and forced their way into the compound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce they got in, they split into two groups,\u201d a source told our correspondent. \u201cWhile one group moved toward the main entrance, the other headed straight for the banner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the source, two of the hoodlums climbed the low perimeter fence, pulled down the large poster of Hadjia Nnanadi Usman and dragged it across the compound to their waiting vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey ripped it down, stuffed it into the boot of the car and sped off,\u201d the eyewitness said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents and party members expressed concern over the delayed security response. About 45 minutes after the attack\u2014and roughly 10 minutes after the hoodlums had fled\u2014two patrol vehicles of the Nigeria Police Force arrived at the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Divisional Police Headquarters in Utako is barely 60 metres from the Labour Party secretariat, a proximity that has raised serious questions about the speed and effectiveness of the response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe station is just a stone\u2019s throw away, yet it took almost an hour for officers to show up,\u201d another source said. \u201cThat is worrying, especially given the security challenges in this area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attack comes amid rising insecurity along the Utako\u2013Jabi axis. Only recently, hoodlums from the nearby Jabi Motor Park reportedly killed two people in gardens close to the same police station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Party officials described the vandalism as part of efforts to intimidate and destabilise the Labour Party during a period of internal tension and called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is not just an attack on our property; it is an attack on democracy and political freedom,\u201d a party official said. \u201cWe urge the police to act decisively and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When our reporter, who witnessed the criminal vandalisation, contacted the Utako Police Station for further details, he was told that the DPO was not in the office and that the DCO was out on patrol in Wuse 2\u2014an explanation that raised further questions, as such patrols fall outside the station\u2019s jurisdiction and suggested that the officers on duty were being economical with the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n