There was a scene of pandemonium in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday afternoon as the convoy of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came under heavy fire.

The national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, who raised the alarm via his verified X handle, described the incident as a “survived assassination attempt,” sending shockwaves through the political landscape.

According to Tanko, the violence erupted following the formal declaration of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, into the ADC.

The delegation was reportedly trailed by armed individuals from the ADC Secretariat to the private residence of the former National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

“PO [Peter Obi] and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko alerted. “Armed individuals followed us… they shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles.”

Photos and videos emerging from the scene show several vehicles in the convoy with shattered windscreens and bullet holes. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as security details scrambled to protect the high-profile politicians while the gunmen opened fire near the residence of the elder statesman, Oyegun.

Tanko lamented the state of the nation’s security, stating, “Democracy is in danger.”

While the vehicles were badly damaged, early reports indicate that Peter Obi, Olumide Akpata, and other top ADC chieftains survived the onslaught. It remains unclear if any security personnel or aides sustained injuries during the exchange.

The incident comes at a time of heightened political tension in Edo State. Security agencies are yet to release an official statement regarding the identity of the attackers or any arrests made.

However, the “Red Alert” issued by the Obidient Movement has triggered a wave of condemnation across social media, with many calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into what appears to be a targeted hit on the opposition leadership.