EDO COMEDIAN ‘PORKUPYNE’ HOSPITALISED AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK BY SUSPECTED APC THUGS

Edo-based comedian Osagie Daniel Idedia, popularly known as Porkupyne, has been hospitalised after a brutal attack by suspected political thugs at a popular hotel in Benin City, in an incident that has drawn condemnation from opposition figures and prompted a police investigation.

The incident occurred on Friday night during a birthday celebration at the hotel, where a political gathering was also taking place, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE ATTACK

According to a source, Porkupyne was attacked by suspected political thugs who inflicted severe injuries that landed him in the hospital.

A video of the comedian in hospital after the attack circulated on social media on Saturday morning.

The Edo State Police Command said the comedian was receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

ATIKU’S CONDEMNATION

ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as politically motivated.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal attack on comedian Osagie Daniel Idedia (aka Porkupyne), in Benin City, Edo State, and I state without equivocation that this was a politically motivated assault on a Nigerian citizen solely because he is my supporter and because he dared to demand good governance and accountability in Edo State,” Atiku said .

He held Governor Monday Okpebholo, President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership directly responsible for creating what he called a climate of impunity in which opposition supporters are beaten, maimed and terrorised.

“Governor Okpebholo must explain what happened to Porkupyne, stop hiding behind official silence and prove that his government is not shielding political thugs; President Tinubu and the APC must stop the brutalisation of my supporters and end the dictatorial arrogance of treating loyal opposition as enemies of the state,” Atiku said.

Atiku said he had formally drawn the attention of Amnesty International and all foreign missions in Nigeria to the incident, urging them to monitor the treatment of opposition supporters and document politically motivated violence ahead of the 2027 general elections .

THE POLICE RESPONSE

The Edo State Police Command said it had launched a full-scale investigation into the attack.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, had ordered an immediate and thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those involved, and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.

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The command strongly condemned all forms of violence and unlawful attacks and urged residents to embrace peace and lawful conduct.

WHY IT MATTERS

The attack on Porkupyne is the latest incident of political violence in Edo State ahead of the 2027 elections.

If the comedian was targeted because of his support for Atiku, it is a chilling reminder that political differences in Nigeria are increasingly being settled with violence rather than at the ballot box.

The police have promised an investigation. Atiku has demanded accountability. And Porkupyne is in the ICU.

The question is whether the perpetrators will be found and prosecuted, or whether this will become another case of political violence that goes unpunished. ValidViewNetwork reports.