Gunmen Attack Reinstated Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu

• APC guber candidate, Sen Okpebholo, others injured 

Less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his ‘Reinstatement’, the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has been reportedly attacked by gunmen in Benin City, the state capital. 

Shaibu, whose impeachment was quashed by the Court in Abuja on Wednesday, had returned to Edo from Abuja when his convoy was attacked on Thursday

Reports indicated that he was in company of the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Senator Monday Okpebholo, when the assailants struck.

According to available reports, a policeman in their convoy was killed in the incident that occurred along Airport Road after Okpebholo and several other personalities arrived the city from Abuja aboard a chartered flight.

It was not immediately known if Okpebholo was injured in the process, but competent sources hinted that he was hospitalized in an undisclosed clinic in Benin City for urgent medical care and observation.

The gunmen, in a vehicle, at the exit gate of the airport, were said to have opened fire on the convoy, which led to a reprisal by the armed security details attached to the APC candidate and Shaibu.

The incident forced shops and offices to hurriedly shot down, while majority of motorists abandoned their vehicles and scampered to safety.

Contacted to comment on the incident, Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the appropriate authorities are investigating the said attack.

He further said; “It is premature for the Police to confirm at this time until the investigation is concluded”.

Meanwhile, it has been reliably gathered that security had been strengthened at the current State Deputy Governor, Godwins Omobayo’s residence located at Osadebey Avenue, near the airport, in Benin to ward off the possibility of any unforseen development around the area.

The Edo State government had issued a statement on Thursday alleging that it had observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs working in connivance with the former deputy governor.

Signed by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, the statement alleged that Comrade Shaibu-led thugs have unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens in the guise of enforcing the judgment reinstating him to office as Deputy Governor of Edo State.

Nehikhare further said; “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 enjoined the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as government works to restore peace within the ancient city of Benin.

Though efforts to get the reaction of  Shaibu proved abortive,  a statement by Mr Godswill Inegbe, an aide to Okpebholo, confirmed that his principal was attacked by some gunmen.

He said; “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”.

According to him, “Okpebholo is at this moment admitted in an undisclosed hospital in Benin for medical attention with other members of the entourage.”

Recalled that on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja, voided the impeachment of Comrade Shaibu as the State deputy governor by the Edo State House of Assembly (ESHA) and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

However, swiftly responding to the Court’s ruling, the Assembly said in a statement that it had appealed the judgement. – With NAN report