By Rasaq Ibrahim Ado-Ekiti
Some arm-wielding hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Tuesday invaded the secretariat of Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti and beat up the staff of the council.
The development occurred around 10am shortly after some councillors arrived the secretariat to commence impeachment process on the council chairperson, Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi over alleged sundry issues bordering on gross misconduct, high-handedness and incompetence.
THE NATION gathered that hoodlums, who stormed the venue of the secretariat in a gestapo manner, humiliated the staff and councillors in the presence of security operatives.
It was learnt Mrs. Fajuyi and the councillors have been at each other throats for a long time over alleged conflict of political interest.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The invasion led to a free for all fight as some of the staff and councillors who were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries repelled the attack”.
When newsmen visited the secretariat situated in Odo Ado area of the state capital, the council was deserted with doors widely opened.
But when contacted Mrs. Fajuyi denied ordering the hoodlums to beat up the councillors.
She claimed she was in the office when she noticed there was a stampede, which made the staff to run in different directions.
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“I was in my office sitting quietly and working when I noticed that the staff were running in different directions. I asked why, but nothing was seen.
“Though some of my staff said some hoodlums invaded the local government but I couldn’t see anything that could substantiate that claim.
“I thereafter called on the police to beef up security in the area, which they did.
“They have restored orderliness and I was there with them throughout the time and I saw nothing that suggested that someone was out to trigger any crisis.
“I am now at the Governor’s office trying to make report and I will also visit the House of Assembly after leaving here.
“But let me clarify that hoodlums didn’t invade my council. It was a lie from the pit of hell,” she said.
But the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ekiti state chapter has directed its members to stay away from the council until further notice.
Publicity Secretary, Gbenga Ogunjobi, said the directives became imperative following the breakdown of laws and order which led to humiliation of the union members in the hands of hoodlums.
“In view of the fracas that broke out today in Ado council, the Union has announced the closure of the local government till further notice when the security of lives and properties of our staff would be guaranteed,” he said.
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