Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has demanded the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in an alleged violent attack against her at the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Kingibe said she suffered severe head trauma after an alleged thug violently pushed her against a wall during the incident.
The senator said the attack occurred on Thursday at about 3 pm at the ADC state secretariat in Gudu, Abuja.
According to her, she visited the secretariat to observe the distribution of materials for the party’s national assembly primaries.
Kingibe said members of the primary election committee and some House of Representatives aspirants were present during the exercise.
THE ATTACK
She alleged that trouble started after a man identified as Tijani Mubarak entered the venue with four other men.
The lawmaker said Mubarak became aggressive after the chairman of the committee questioned him over earlier phone calls.
She alleged that Mubarak slapped the committee chairman during the confrontation.
Kingibe said the situation escalated after a female aspirant attempted to record the incident with her phone.
According to the senator, the men allegedly attacked the woman and tried to seize her phone.
She said one of the attackers later turned on her and pushed her violently against a wall.
“He reached out, grabbed me, and flung me violently against the wall, hitting my head against the wall with severe force,” she said.
Kingibe alleged that the attackers locked the exit doors and trapped party members inside the building.
She said supporters eventually forced the doors open and rescued those inside.
The senator added that she later reported the incident to the ADC national headquarters and the police.
She said doctors at Wuse General Hospital confirmed she suffered severe trauma to the head after she complained of blurred vision and severe headaches.
Kingibe called on the police to immediately arrest and prosecute Mubarak and his alleged accomplices.
“I call upon the inspector-general of police and the FCT police commissioner to immediately order the arrest, thorough investigation, and swift prosecution” of those involved, she said.
The senator also called for a full investigation into what she described as a premeditated attack.
She added that violence against women in politics must not be tolerated.
“To the people of the FCT who I proudly represent, I assure you: I am shaken but entirely unbowed,” she said.
