KEY POINTS

• Gunmen attacked the family home of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Kogi State, mistaking her presence, amid rising political tensions.

• The senator has been an outspoken critic of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the attack is believed to be a response to her allegations against him.

• Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for increased security and urged the public to stay calm and support the pursuit of justice.

Gunmen launched an attack on the family house of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Obeiba-Ihima, Kogi State, on the night of April 15, 2025, sparking fears of politically motivated violence.

The assailants, believed to be targeting the senator, vandalized windows in her late grandfather’s home before being repelled by a quick response from civil defense operatives and local community members.

According to sources, the gunmen attacked the property under the mistaken belief that Senator Natasha was inside at the time.

SaharaReporters notes that the attack follows her outspoken criticisms of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who she recently accused of sexual harassment.

“The armed men, mistakenly thinking that the senator was present, vandalized the windows of her grandfather’s home,” a statement from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s media team read. “Fortunately, a swift response from security operatives and the local community prevented the situation from escalating further.”

Political tensions mount for Natasha

The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of public officials who challenge political powers. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, has been an outspoken advocate for transparency and women’s rights, particularly challenging what she sees as entrenched corruption in Nigerian politics.

Recently, she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment, and she has been vocal about her struggles with political leadership in the Senate.

In response to the attack, the senator’s media team issued a statement condemning it as a “brazen and calculated assault,” suggesting that the attack could be a direct retaliation for her stance against Akpabio. “This calculated assault appears to be in direct response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courageous stance against Senate President Godswill Akpabio,” the statement said.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke about the event in an interview with SaharaReporters, recounting how her younger brother had been in the town to inspect sites for development projects she had attracted to her district. “The gunmen assumed I was in town, and they attacked my family’s house that night. Thankfully, the civil defense team and local residents responded swiftly and chased them off,” she explained.

Following the attack, Senator Natasha called on the public to remain calm and to support the pursuit of justice. She also appealed to law enforcement authorities to ensure her safety by reinstating her security details. “This attack should not deter my dedication to speaking truth and representing my constituents. I call on the public to remain calm and not be intimidated by violence,” she urged.

The situation underscores the growing concern for the safety of public officials, especially women in politics, who face harassment and threats when challenging the status quo. The recent attack has been linked to broader political tensions, particularly related to accusations made by the senator against Senate President Akpabio.