A video showing the Deputy Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Godiya Akwashiki, has gone viral on social media.
Mr Akwashiki, who represents Nasarawa Eggon West in the state assembly, was allegedly intercepted, beaten and abducted by associates of a former secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Danladi Envulanza, near the popular Exclusive Stores in the Maitama District of Abuja.
Mr Akwashiki, who was recently elected senator to represent Nasarawa North Senatorial District, was then driven to a location said to be Mr Envulanza’s home where he was further assaulted and stripped.
A recording of the drama was then shared on social media.
In the viral video, the lawmaker was heard begging for water to drink while another voice, which some suspect to be that of Mr Envulanza, was speaking in the background.
Although those who assaulted and abducted Mr Akwashiki accused him of enticing Mr Envulanza’s wife, they did not provide evidence to back the allegation.
Mrs Envulanza was not seen in the video and the senator-elect’s attackers did not say how and where the lawmaker enticed or sexually harassed the woman.
The senator-elect was later taken to the Maitama Police Station, where his attackers lodged a complaint accusing him of enticing a married woman. He was later released on bail so he could seek treatment in hospital.
Messrs Envulanza and Akwashiki are political rivals from the same local government area and those familiar with their politics say the incident may be a continuation of their ongoing schemings to take down one another.
The two politicians could not be reached to comment for this story. They did not answer calls or reply to text messages sent to them. Mr Akwashiki is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
When contacted, the Abuja police spokesperson, Anjuguri Manzah, said an investigation into the matter was ongoing.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect additional details and clarifications received by our reporters on the matter.
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