Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused suspected thugs affiliated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of invading his hometown of Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.

According to Keyamo, the violent attack occurred on Friday, September 18, 2026. Taking to his official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, the minister shared details and video evidence of the incident, claiming that heavily armed individuals destroyed campaign billboards erected by the Tompolo Door-to-Door Campaign Organization and vandalized local businesses.

Key Highlights of Keyamo's Allegations:

  • Looting and Vandalism: Keyamo stated that the attackers, armed with dangerous weapons, broke into several local shops and looted goods from shopkeepers in the community.

  • Law Enforcement Complicity: The minister alleged that security personnel were actively shielding the attackers, asserting, "The video is clear and the evidence is overwhelming... The thugs were even accompanied by law-enforcement agents in their payroll."

  • Media Bias Claims: Keyamo criticized human rights organizations and mainstream media outlets for remaining silent on the issue, arguing that the reaction would have been far different had the victims belonged to the opposition.

  • Comparison to Benue Incident: Reflecting on the recent blockade of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s entourage in Benue State—which Keyamo noted he publicly condemned—he argued that the violence unleashed in his community was significantly worse.

Next Steps and Legal Action

Despite the severity of the attack, Keyamo confirmed he has urged his supporters and community members to remain calm and avoid any acts of retaliation.

To ensure accountability, the minister announced plans to submit a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) this week, demanding a full-scale investigation to identify, arrest, and prosecute both the perpetrators and any complicit security personnel.