United Kingdom-based supporter of former Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Albert Obazee, has lamented a fire outbreak that gutted his house in Amagba, Benin City, alleging it was arson by agents of the state government.

According to Obazee, the fire happened during New Year’s crossover night on Wednesday.

Speaking during a Facebook live stream on Thursday, Obazee described the alleged attackers as “children of hate and anger who cannot build but only destroy.”

He added that he would not be intimidated and would continue to speak on issues as they arose, despite suggestions that he should take a lower profile.

In a phone call received during the live stream, a caller who stayed in the house said the CCTV cameras could not capture the faces of the arsonists because they attacked from a blind spot.

The caller explained that they acted quickly to extinguish the fire, preventing total destruction of the building.

Obazee said, “I am sure the thugs who came are loyal to the state government. They are not comfortable with the truth I say online, but this attack will not make me stop.

“They just want to destroy. They are children of hate, children of anger, who can build but destroy.

“Just a simple discussion, they resort to burning houses. You people will only render those living in the house homeless. Can you burn the land?

“So if I come to Nigeria now, you think I will stay in that house in Amagba. I am happy that those who know my other properties do not belong to your group.”

A government official who preferred to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, however, dismissed the allegations, stating that the state government had more pressing matters than burning an individual’s property.

The official called on the police to investigate and apprehend those responsible.

He said, “It is absurd to think that the state government will burn the house of an individual. What purpose would that serve? We call on the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter to fish out the culprit(s).”

Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, were unsuccessful.

Obazee, a loyalist of Obaseki, has been at odds with both the state government and the Oba of Benin Palace since Obaseki’s tenure ended.

He was attacked at an event last year, and a palace chief delivered a letter to him at his residence in the UK, an act that enraged Obazee.

A police officer had to intervene to calm the situation after Obazee accused the chief of acting on behalf of the palace and the state government. (PUNCH)