How I Escaped Being Roasted Alive During Election – Pension Boss

The 73-year-old chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ebonyi state, Chief Nwofe Donatus Okemini of Agubata Agbaja, Izzi local government area of Ebonyi state, last weekend, narrated how he escaped being burnt alive by some hoodlums who attacked him during the 2019 general election.

Okemini explained that the assailants invaded his house at about 8:52pm and shot randomly into the air. He said that, luckily, he was able to escape with his wife and children before his home was set ablaze.


Speaking to Orient Weekend during a special thanksgiving service at the St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, Agubata, Agbaja, the senior citizen commended those who, he said, contributed towards the well-being of his family since that attack.

He noted that, without God, his attackers would have shot him dead. “This is a year and seven months after the attack. People thought that it could have been the end of my life on 17th February, 2019 but God said ‘no’. On that night, about 8:52, people started shooting at random in all angles, facing the whole house. I don’t know how God blind-folded them. They kept away and didn’t see us.



“They continued shooting and so, we had to run away. I don’t know my offence anyway; because I’m not a politician, just a trade unionist, being the chairman of NUP in the state.

According to his son, Don Philip Mgboko, “Actually, I was in Abakaliki when I got a call that our house was on fire. I decided to rush to this place. I am happy that I saw my Dad escape the incident and he survived it. It was political violence that erupted in our (Agbaja) community and those who masterminded it decided to burn our house.”

I’m his remarks, Augustine Nwankwoagu, former speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, sued for peace and understanding during elections as there were no benefits from electoral violence.

“Sometime last year, his house was gutted by fire. It was not gutted by accident. It was purposely set on fire by unknown persons for what they believed in and for whatever purposes they had in mind. I think what they had in mind was that he should be burnt alive, his family members and properties.

“Man proposes, God disposes. God said “no, I will allow you burn the house for my own purpose but his life I will spare and the life of his family members. None of them was burnt but the house and all his properties were burnt, including money. That house was situated at the middle of the compound but for God’s purpose, today, that house is a better house standing here by the side of the home, making provision for people to come in and come and stay to celebrate with him.

“For those who did what they did, let us remember that whatever we do lives after us. The seed we sow, we will shall reap, it has not changed but you cannot change a man’s destiny.”

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