Family in Hiding After House Burnt Down, Seeks Government Protection
A 23-year-old man, Akpemere Mark Akwavbiokpene, has accused political operatives of orchestrating his father’s assassination following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.
Narrating his ordeal, Akpemere alleged that his father, Mr. Charles Akwavbiokpene, was a staunch PDP loyalist for many years before switching allegiance to the APC in what he described as an act of political betrayal.
According to him, the PDP had promised his father a key appointment in return for his long-standing support and influence in the community. However, when the party allegedly failed to fulfill its promise, Mr. Akwavbiokpene felt abandoned and decided to shift his loyalty to the APC.
“My father was a dedicated PDP member for years. He worked tirelessly for them, mobilized people, and ensured their candidates won elections. But after making several promises to him and failing to deliver, he became disillusioned,” Akpemere said.
“He saw how his efforts were taken for granted, so he decided to support the APC. The PDP leaders knew my father’s influence. They knew that whoever he backed would emerge victorious in the elections. That is why they allegedly sent assassins to kill him on the 3rd of February, 2021.”
Akpemere recounted how his father was brutally murdered in what he believes was a politically motivated attack. According to him, the assailants did not stop at taking his father’s life—they went further by setting their home ablaze in a bid to wipe out the entire family.
“After they killed my father, they burnt our house down completely. It was only by a miracle that I, my mother, my girlfriend, and my son managed to escape. Till now, I don’t know how we made it out alive,” he said.
Since the attack, Akpemere revealed that he and his family have been living in hiding, fearing that those responsible for his father’s death might still be after them.
“Right now, we are in hiding because the assassins are still looking for us. Some of our neighbors even believe we are dead because no one knows our whereabouts. We had to disappear to save our lives,” he explained.
Despite reporting the attack to the police, Akpemere lamented that no action has been taken to investigate the murder or bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We went to the police and reported everything, but nothing has been done till now. We have been abandoned to our fate,” he stated.
Akpemere called on the relevant authorities, human rights organizations, and security agencies to intervene and provide protection for him and his family, insisting that their lives remain in grave danger.
“I am begging the government and security agencies to step in and help us. We are being hunted like animals, and we need protection before it’s too late,” he pleaded.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the PDP nor the APC has issued an official statement regarding the allegations. Attempts to reach party representatives for comments were unsuccessful.
The situation has sparked widespread concern in Sapele, with residents expressing fear over the growing trend of politically motivated violence in the local government area. Many are now calling on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the claims and ensure that justice is served.
Meanwhile, political observers warn that if left unchecked, such incidents could further deepen tensions ahead of future elections in Delta State.