Gunmen attack Senator Natasha’s family home again, suspected ritualist arrested

The country home of Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, was attacked again on Tuesday night by suspected gunmen, marking the second assault on the property in just two months.

An eyewitness said the assailants stormed the residence, vandalized windows, and attempted to inflict further damage before being repelled by a swift response from local police, community vigilantes, and youths.

One suspect, identified as Suberu Jose, a native of the area, was apprehended during the attack. He is alleged to be a ritualist linked to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political opponents. Security sources said Jose confessed to participating in three previous attacks on the senator’s residence.

A mob reportedly tried to lynch the suspect before he was rescued and taken into custody by the police. Recovered from the scene were a cutlass and charms allegedly in Jose’s possession. The remaining attackers, said to be armed with dangerous weapons, fled and are still at large.

This incident follows an earlier attack on April 15, 2025, which left the property damaged but resulted in no arrests. Tuesday’s arrest is considered a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into what appears to be a sustained campaign of intimidation against the senator and her family.

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The latest attack comes amid increasing political tension surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently facing two criminal charges filed by the Federal Government. The charges followed her public accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio—an allegation that led to her controversial six-month suspension from the Senate.

In a statement issued by her media team, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the attack and urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding. She reaffirmed her commitment to representing the people of Kogi Central and called for an end to the violence and political intimidation.

“Our resolve to speak truth to power and advocate for our people must not be met with terror. We call on security agencies to ensure thorough investigations and bring all perpetrators to justice,” the statement read.