Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu has escaped assassination attempt as a policeman reportedly died when some gunmen attacked him.
The gun battle which was captured in a viral video seen on X was learnt to have occurred between the gunmen said to be the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and the deputy governor’s convoy.
This was also confirmed in a press statement issued by Shaibu’s media team dated July 18, 2024.
The statement reads: “The Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Thursday afternoon, escaped an assassination attempt on his life in Benin City the state capital.
“The attempt on the life of the deputy governor and other VIPs, including supporters who were at the Benin Airport to receive him, was carried out at the Airport exit gate roundabout, near Faith Mediplex.
“The attack orchestrated by state-sponsored thugs and members of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), witnessed sporadic shootings that left the cheering crowd who had come to welcome the reinstated deputy governor back to Benin, scampering for their dear lives seeking protection from the flying stray bullets.
“However, it took the effort and intervention of security officers to rescue the situation, leaving the state-sponsored thugs and local vilgiantees to run from the spot and allowing the rallying crowd to reconvene.
“Sadly, one gallant police officer attached to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, whose rode alongside the deputy governor’s convoy, lost his life in the unprovoked brutal attack, with several officers and supporters wounded,” the statement added.
This is coming a day after the ruling of a Federal Court in Abuja, reinstating Shaibu as the Deputy Governor and a directive that the Inspector General of Police should restore his security details following the nullification of his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly.
The Edo State Police Command is yet to respond to the incident.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate of the state, Monday Okpebholoa lso escaped assassination attempt on Thursday.
In a press statement issued by
Godswill Inegbe, Legislative Aide To Senator Monday Okpebholo said motorcade of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC governorship candidate, was brutally attacked on his way from Benin Airport by members of Edo State Security Network.
“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.”