Photo: John Odigie-Oyegun, and Peter Obi

Edo State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kennedy Odion, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of having masterminded yesterday’s assassination attempt on Peter Obi Gregory, however, Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, attributed the violence to an internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party.

Peter Obi paid a courtesy visit to the former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun- the national Chairman of ADC, when they were attacked by gunmen at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City.

Odion, said : ” We heard APC was coming to attack us. We quickly cut short the event and ended the programme at the Secretariat.

A few minutes after we ended, we heard that thugs stormed the venue. They injured three people… After they scattered the place, they came to Oyegun’s house where we were having another meeting.

All the vehicles parked outside were destroyed…”, said Odion.

On the other hand, Adegbua emphasised : “The crisis has been ongoing. Even yesterday, we had to use the police to quell the crisis… What happened was just the height of it.”

On allegations that Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier warned Obi against visiting Edo without permission, Afegbua said: “If Peter Obi had informed the governor that he was coming, what happened today would not have happened. The governor would have provided security for him… Thank God nothing happened to Peter Obi.”

Commenting on the attack on his home, Oyegun, said: “We had a guest… the former governor of Anambra and one of the prominent leaders of the ADC, from all indications, an aspirant – former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata into the party,.

“The government here had threatened that if Obi came to Edo State without permission, his security could not be guaranteed.

He was paying a courtesy visit to me and bullets started raining all over the place… When did we degenerate to that kind of level?”

Odigie-Oyegun warned that the development could trigger chaos if not checked.“I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state, are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect,” he said.

Obi said that no sooner than the leaders of the ADC party had received former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata into the party, than gunmen attacked the facility at Ogbelaka Street, Off Sokponba Road, Benin City, and the residence of the party’s National Leader, Odigie-Oyegun.

Obi, narrating his ordeal, declared: “It is time to speak up. It is time those in government act. They are not going to be there forever. What they allowed to happen in the country today will take its revenge on all of us and the country.”

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who arrived in an unmarked Sienna bus and on a motorcycle, fired several gunshots and vandalised party property, including chairs, canopies and banners. Some members reportedly sustained injuries.

Not satisfied, the assailants reportedly proceeded to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun on Reservation Road, where more gunshots were heard and vehicles parked near the gate were riddled with bullets. A video circulating online showed damaged vehicles and a gate perforated with bullet holes.

In the video, Obi said: “This is a former governor of the state(Odigie-Oyegun). You can see what happened in front of his house where hoodlums came, shooting.Look at the gate, see the bullet holes at the gate, several cars damaged. That is where our democracy has reached.”

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, alleged that the attackers trailed the leaders from the secretariat.

“The leadership of the ADC is under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. Armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun and shot at the gate, destroying several vehicles,” he said.

Olatunji Rilwan Disu (commonly known as Tunji Disu) is a senior Nigerian police officer who was appointed as the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of the Nigeria Police Force on February 24, 2026, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This followed the resignation of the previous IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who cited family considerations. Disu’s appointment is acting pending formal review by the Nigeria Police Council and confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, as required under the Police Act.

Early Life and Education

– Born: April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria (currently 59 years old; he turns 60 in April 2026).

– Education: – Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University (LASU).

– Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies (also from LASU).

– Master’s degree in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

– Master’s degree in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from LASU.

– He completed primary education at schools like Mayflower Junior School (Ogun State) and secondary at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos.

Professional Career

Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) after training at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kaduna.

He has over 33 years of service, rising through various operational and leadership roles.

Key positions and achievements include:

– Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in multiple locations.

– Officer-in-Charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) units.

– Leadership in anti-kidnapping squads and state Criminal Investigation Departments.

– Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos, where he focused on urban crime reduction.

– Head of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) for high-profile operations.

– Commissioner of Police in Rivers State (led operations against violent cult groups) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

– Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos (assumed this role around early 2026; promoted to AIG in March 2025).

– Specialized training in forensics, criminal intelligence, internet fraud (including at University of Cambridge), small arms smuggling (Botswana), and strategic leadership (Police Staff College, Jos).

He is recognized for intelligence-led policing, discipline, anti-corruption stance, and community-oriented approaches.

Personal Interests and Achievements

Disu is a decorated judoka (third dan black belt), having started practicing in 1986 during his time at LASU. He won multiple gold medals at national and police games, plus a silver at other competitions.

Recent Appointment Context

The appointment came amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. It has sparked discussions on seniority (bypassing some more senior officers like DIG Frank Mba), federal character, and timing (Disu is close to the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service).

Some view it as strategic for pre-2027 election security preparations, while others debate merit versus other factors. President Tinubu expressed confidence in Disu’s experience to provide steady leadership.

Overall, Tunji Disu is regarded as a seasoned, professional officer with a strong track record in field operations, investigations, and command roles. His tenure as acting IGP is expected to focus on enhancing police efficiency and addressing national security priorities.

……Appoints AIG Tunji Disu as New Inspector-General of Police.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu as his successor, multiple reliable sources confirmed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

The development followed a directive from President Tinubu asking Egbetokun to resign, reportedly during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

Egbetokun, who served as the 22nd IGP, had been in the position since his appointment by Tinubu on June 19, 2023, with confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.

Sources within the presidency and the Nigeria Police Force indicated that preparations were underway for a formal handover ceremony from Egbetokun to Disu. An official announcement from the presidency was expected shortly.

Tunji Disu, who until recently served as the AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, is set to become the 23rd Inspector-General of Police. Described by some reports as one of Nigeria’s finest contemporary officers, Disu is anticipated to receive swift confirmation from the Senate.

Egbetokun had been appointed at age 58 and was originally due for retirement on September 4, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, though his tenure extended beyond that point.

The leadership change marks a significant shake-up in Nigeria’s security apparatus amid ongoing efforts to address policing challenges across the country.

Further details on the reasons for the removal and Disu’s priorities as the new IGP are yet to be officially disclosed.