Rep-elect denies country home invasion reports

Mr Jonathan Ukodhiko, the House of Representatives member-elect for Isoko Federal Constituency of Edo has refuted media reports alleging that his country home in Erawha-Owhe was invaded by gunmen.

Ukodhiko said this in a statement on Wednesday in Asaba, saying that the report by an online media that his country home was invaded by gunmen numbering 10 was false.

He said that although he lost a cattle some time ago due to cattle rustlers attack, his country home was never attacked.

“Some time ago, I gave my cattle to a herder to take care of.

“Unfortunately, the herder was attacked by cattle rustlers between Emevor and Agbarha-Otor bush about 15 kilometers away from my Erawha-Owhe country home.

“When the herder did not return with the cattle days later, I reported the matter to the Otor-Owhe Police Division, Ozoro Area Command and the Department of State Service (DSS) before his decomposing body was found days later,” he said.

Ukodhiko, a former Delta Commissioner for Energy, said that the issue was not reported to the media for fear of jeopardising police investigations.

“The herder’s family has since been contacted and the man buried already.

“If my country home was indeed attacked, who counted the gunmen to ascertain that they were more than 10,” he said.

Ukodhiko said it was sad that a media organisation would publish a story without carrying out proper investigation.

He called on the concern media outfit to retract the said publication within one week and tender apology for the trauma caused by the publication.

He added that failure to retract and apologise for the malicious and unfounded publication, would leave him with no option than to seek redress in court.