By Doris Isreal Ijeoma
On Thursday in Benin, gunmen attacked the convoy of APC governorship candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo and the reinstated deputy governor Philip Shaibu, resulting in the death of one security officer.
The attack took place on Airport Road as Okpebholo and his team arrived from Abuja on a chartered flight. A police officer was killed and three others sustained injuries. Okpebholo’s condition remains unclear, though he is reported to be hospitalized in an undisclosed location in Benin City.
This incident follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Wednesday that overturned Shaibu’s impeachment by the state House of Assembly. The Assembly has since appealed the ruling.
The gunmen, stationed at the airport exit gate, opened fire on the convoy, leading to a retaliatory response from the security personnel protecting Okpebholo and Shaibu. The attack prompted businesses and offices in the vicinity to close quickly, and many motorists abandoned their vehicles and sought safety.
SP Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesperson for the Edo police command, confirmed that the incident is currently under investigation.
“It is premature for the police to confirm at this time until the investigation is concluded,” he said.
Meanwhile, a check showed that security had been strengthened at the premises of the state Deputy Governor, Godwins Omobayo located at Osadebey Avenue, near the airport, in Benin to forestall any attack on him.
In a statement on Thursday, Edo government alleged that it had observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs working in connivance with the former deputy governor.
Chris Nehikhare, the commissioner for communication and orientation, alleged that Mr Shaibu-led thugs have unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens in the guise of enforcing the judgement reinstating him to office.
“We want to reiterate that Shaibu will face the consequences of violence that he has resorted to in pursuit of his aim to return to the Government House even when he is aware that a stay of execution of the judgement has been filed,” he said.
The commissioner enjoined the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as government restored peace to the ancient city.
However, efforts to get the reaction of Shaibu proved abortive.
But a statement by Godswill Inegbe, an aide to Okpebholo said his principal was attacked by the gunmen.
“During the unprovoked attack, three mobile policemen attached to the security detail of Sen. Okpebholo were injured with bullet wounds, while one of the policemen has been feared dead,” Inegbe said.
According to him, Okpebholo is at this moment admitted in an undisclosed hospital in Benin for medical attention with other members of the entourage.
