Nigerian lawmaker escapes assassination bid

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigeria's deputy senate president escaped an assassination attempt Tuesday morning as gunmen barged into his home in the capital city Abuja.

Uche Anichukwu, for Deputy President of Senate Ike Ekweremadu, said one of the gunmen was arrested and handed over to the police for investigation.

Anichukwu said the gunmen bypassed security cordon in the house and gained entrance into the highly fortified building without firing gunshot.

“It was at the senator’s bedroom that a struggle ensued, leading to the arrest of one of the assailants with dangerous weapons and housebreaking devices, while the rest managed to escape,” Anichukwu said.

“Ekweremadu, his wife, and one of his sons were in the house at the time of the attack,” he added.

It could be recalled that the lawmaker narrowly escaped an attempt on his life in Abuja on Nov. 17, 2015.

"Although the 2015 incident was reported to the security agencies, nothing has been heard about the matter till date,” Anichukwu said.

Ekweremadu is a member of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Police have yet to issue any statement on the development which comes ahead Nigeria’s general election billed for February 2019.