Chaos in Ekiti: Hoodlums Set Fire to African Democratic Congress Secretariat in Shocking Attack

Tension gripped Ekiti State today after the Secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was set ablaze by unidentified hoodlums in what residents described as a deliberate and politically motivated attack. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, sent waves of panic through the community as thick smoke and flames engulfed the ADC building, reducing vital party documents, equipment, and furniture to ashes before fire service officials could arrive.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the ADC Secretariat located in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, around dawn, wielding dangerous weapons and chanting political slogans. Some residents claimed they heard gunshots before the fire started, suggesting the attackers intended to instill fear in nearby residents before carrying out the act. “It was terrifying,” said one eyewitness who asked not to be named for security reasons. “We heard loud noises and saw men running out of the building just before it caught fire. Nobody could go near because they were armed.”

Party officials and supporters who arrived later were left in tears as they watched the charred remains of their once vibrant Secretariat. The walls, now blackened by soot, stood as a grim reminder of the growing tension in the state’s political space. The fire, according to sources, destroyed sensitive documents, computers, and files containing party membership records and election planning materials ahead of the next general elections.

Reacting to the incident, the Ekiti State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Hon. Adewale Ojo, described the attack as “an act of cowardice and a deliberate attempt to silence a rising voice of democracy in Ekiti.” He condemned the destruction, calling it “a dark day for democracy and a wake-up call for security agencies to rise to their responsibilities.” Ojo stated that the party had no history of violence and has always maintained a peaceful political presence in the state. “For our office to be attacked and burnt down shows that some people are threatened by our growing popularity and the impact we are making in local communities. This was not a random act—it was planned, and it was political,” he said.

The incident has sparked outrage among residents and civil society groups, who have demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack. Several youth organizations in Ekiti have also called on the Inspector-General of Police to deploy a special investigation team to uncover the perpetrators and bring them to justice. “What happened today is not just an attack on the ADC, but an attack on democracy,” said one youth leader. “If political parties can no longer operate freely or express themselves without fear of violence, then our democracy is in danger.”

Security sources confirmed that police operatives have cordoned off the area and begun investigations into the incident. The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, said officers were dispatched immediately after receiving distress calls from residents. “We are aware of the fire incident at the ADC Secretariat. Preliminary findings suggest arson, but we cannot confirm the identities or motives of those responsible yet. Our men are already on the ground, and investigations are ongoing to ensure the culprits are arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

Meanwhile, political analysts say the attack could be a sign of deepening political rivalry ahead of the upcoming elections in the state. Ekiti, known for its vibrant and sometimes tense political atmosphere, has in recent years witnessed pockets of politically motivated violence, especially during campaign seasons. The burning of the ADC Secretariat, they say, may mark the beginning of another volatile phase if urgent steps are not taken to maintain peace and stability.

In response to the attack, the African Democratic Congress National Working Committee released a statement from its headquarters in Abuja condemning the act in strong terms. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Patricia Nwosu, accused “enemies of democracy” of trying to intimidate ADC members and destabilize the party’s growing influence in the southwest. “We want to make it clear that no amount of violence or intimidation will deter us from pursuing our vision for a better Nigeria. The ADC stands for peace, unity, and good governance. Those who think they can silence us through fire and fear are mistaken,” the statement read.

The fire incident has also attracted reactions from other political parties in Ekiti, with some opposition figures calling for calm and unity. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state condemned the attack and urged politicians to refrain from actions that could heat up the polity. “Politics should be about ideas and service, not violence and destruction. This kind of act must be condemned by all lovers of democracy,” he said.

Residents of Ado-Ekiti, still shaken by the incident, expressed concern about their safety as the election season draws nearer. Some lamented the growing insecurity in the area and called on the government to provide more surveillance and patrols to prevent future attacks. “We are scared,” said a trader who runs a shop near the Secretariat. “These political people fight like it’s war. Today it’s ADC; tomorrow it could be another party. We need peace in this town.”

Firefighters who battled to control the blaze said they were alerted too late, as the fire had already spread beyond control before they arrived. One of the officers on the scene confirmed that the delay in response was due to traffic congestion and the distance from their station. “We did our best, but the fire had consumed almost everything before we got here,” he said.

As night fell, the ruins of the ADC Secretariat stood silent, with the smell of burnt debris still hanging in the air. Supporters of the party gathered around, singing solidarity songs and vowing not to be intimidated by those behind the attack. Some carried placards demanding justice and calling for the arrest of the perpetrators.

Observers say today’s attack is yet another grim reminder of the fragile state of political tolerance in Nigeria. Despite years of democratic governance, politically motivated violence continues to threaten the nation’s progress. Many believe that until there are real consequences for those who engage in such acts, incidents like the burning of the ADC Secretariat will continue to recur.

As investigations continue, all eyes are now on the Ekiti State Government and security agencies to bring the culprits to book. The people of Ekiti await justice, hoping that this attack will not go the way of many others that have faded into silence. For now, one thing is clear—the fire that destroyed the ADC Secretariat may have consumed a building, but it has also ignited fresh conversations about the state of democracy, justice, and peace in Nigeria’s political landscape.