Untold story of ‘bishop’s’ attack in Abuja market

On Saturday, a man who some people identified as one of the “bishops” who attended the ceremony where Kashim Shettima, vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was unveiled, was reportedly mobbed at the Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market in Abuja.

In a video circulated online, a man who shares semblance with one of the “bishops” who attended the event in July, is seen being humiliated by some youths.

Shouts of “fake bishop”, “this is one of the so-called bishops Tinubu used”, among others, are heard in the background of the video.

Supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), have been accused of perpetrating the act. The allegation has however been denied.

While reacting on the video, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, condemned the attack.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Sowore also faulted Nigerians, who he claimed, supported the mob action on social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp.

When City & Crime 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.

The statement reads in part: “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.”