From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Again, the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State was marred with violence that left no fewer than fifteen persons injured.

The injured persons include the state commissioner for youths and sports, Chris Okaebean, a policeman, a woman and children, among others. Two of the injured persons were inflicted with deep machete cuts on their heads.

It would be recalled that the congress held on Tuesday was also marked with violence, followed by protests that eventually led to its cancellation.

Saturday’s fracas occurred at Oredo wards 4 and 7, in the premises of Emokpae and Payne primary schools located along Mission Road and Upper Mission respectively.

Confirming the incident, Okaebean said he was attacked at ward 7 by angry youths who also vandalized his vehicle out of frustration that they were losing the election.

About 25 vehicles were allegedly destroyed at the two wards (4 and 7), just as vehicles, borehole, doors and windows and other properties were destroyed at Nevis and Idahosa streets, off Mission Road.

A principal lecturer at Edo State – owned Institute of Continuing Education, ICE, Benin City, Uhunmwangho Asonmworiri, whose Toyota Camry was destroyed said he was inside his apartment when he heard a loud bang outside.

Asonmworiri who said he is not a member of any political party wondered why they left the venue of the congress to damage his car and those of other residents as well as inflicted various degrees of injuries on the innocent people of the streets.

The matter has been reported to the New Benin divisional police headquarters and governor Adams Oshiomhole has reportedly ordered the arrest of three persons allegedly caught with arms, ammunition and fake membership cards of the APC at George Idah memorial primary school in GRA.

A police source disclosed that two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident and taken to the state police command headquarters.

The destroyed vehicles and properties were visible at the streets at the time newsmen visited.

It was however gathered that the exercise at a ward located at Agbado primary along Akpakpava Road could not hold due to alleged non-accreditation of voters and subsequent gun shots that greeted the exercise.

The exercise was however peaceful in other wards monitored at Ikpoba Okha local government area.