An update has been given by the police following reports that a man who some people identified as one of the “bishops” who attended the ceremony where Kashim Shettima, vice presidential candidate of APC was beaten and attacked at the Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market in Abuja.
It has now been revealed that the man was not beaten.
A video had circulated online showing the man being surrounded by youths who called him out for being among the ‘fake bishops’ that attended the unveiling.
Shouts of “fake bishop”, “this is one of the so-called bishops Tinubu used”, among others, are heard in the background of the video.
Many accused supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) of beating and attacking the man.
It has now been found to be false.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore was among those who accused Obi’s supporters of carrying out the attack.
However, when DailyTrust visited the market on Monday, a trader, Hassan Musa, gave a clearer picture of what transpired.
According to Musa, the man was at the market to get plumbing materials when he was recognised and mobbed.
Musa said, “When the story of the fake bishops went viral some weeks ago, people were angry that the APC has taken them for fools. So, when he was recognised as one of the bishops, people started insulting him.
However, he was not touched or beaten. People just gathered round him until the police came and escorted him out of the market.”
Confirming the incident FCT police spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh, in a statement, explained how the police rescued the “cleric” and escorted him out of the market.
She identified him as Bishop Hilary C. Okafoh of Madalla, Niger State.
Daily Trust had contacted Police Public Relations Officer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), DSP Josephine Adeh, for reaction.
The PPRO who confirmed that the incident happened, narrated how the police rescued the “cleric” and escorted him out of Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market, Abuja.
She identified him as Bishop Hilary C. Okafoh of Madalla, Niger State.
She said, “Not knowing how far this will go, and to preserve his fundamental human rights. The police swung into action and saved him from further embarrassment.”
