From Tony Osauzo, Benin
A policeman has been reported feared dead and others injured as gunmen yesterday afternoon opened fire on the convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo and deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu at the exit gate of Benin Airport.
The duo and other dignitaries had arrived from Abuja aboard a chartered flight to a large crowd of supporters, and were driving out of the airport at about 2 pm when the convoy was attacked at the exit gate by gunmen in a Toyota Sienna.
The surprise attack led to a reprisal gunshot by armed security details attached to the APC candidate and Deputy governor Phillip Shaibu.
The shots, audible inside the Airport Arrival Hall and along Airport Road near the Miracle Centre of the Church of God Mission, caused widespread panic which forced businesses to hurriedly closed down, as motorists abandoned their vehicles in a rush to escape the crossfire.
It took the intervention of the Mobile Squad of the Nigeria Police to bring the situation under control as several officers continued shooting to dispersed the said attackers as they flee in a Toyota Sienna bus.
When contacted, spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said they were in meeting and pleaded for time to enable him respond to the incident.
But in a statement, the Legislative Aide to Sen. Okpebholo on Media and Communication, Godswill Inegbe, said “This afternoon, the motorcade of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC governorship candidate, was brutally attacked by members of Edo State Security Network and Edo state government sponsored thugs allegedly” led a chieftain of the PDP.
“During the unprovoked brutal attack, three mobile policemen attached to the security detail of Senator Okpebholo were injured with bullets wound, while one of the policemen has been declared dead!
“Senator Monday Okpebholo is at this moment admitted in an undisclosed hospital in Benin receiving medical attention, and other members of his entourage who were victims of the brutal attack are in various hospitals in Benin City”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has accused the deputy governor, Shaibu, of leading thugs to attack innocent citizens.
“The Edo State Government has observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs and elements working in connivance with former Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu in the guise of purportedly enforcing a judgement reinstating him in office.
“Shaibu led thugs through Airport Road axis of Benin City, attacking innocent citizens and unleashing mayhem on private citizens who are going about their lawful businesses.
“The State Government through this statement is warning Shaibu to desist from this turn to violence in the pretense that he is enforcing a judgement. He is reminded that he is not above the law and is liable for the wanton destruction perpetrated by him and his co-travellers.
“Shaibu’s violent tendencies is well document and he has been warned at different times by respected figures of society, including the revered Benin Monarch to shun violence.
“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 Edo State Government House even when he is aware that a stay of execution of the judgement has been filed.
“We enjoin the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as government will continue to deploy the instrumentality of the state to restore and maintain law and order in the State in the face of undue provocation”, the government said a issued by the Edo State Commissioner Communication andOrientation, Chris Nehikhare.