Airport Attack: Police Inspector Killed, Okpebholo Escapes, Edo Govt Blames Shaibu

Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, narrowly escaped death yesterday when suspected thugs attacked his convoy in Benin, the state capital.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the attack at the exit gate of Benin Airport claimed the life of a police Inspector simply identified as Akon.

Three mobile policemen who are among the senator’s security detail were also injured by sporadic shooting from the suspected political thugs.

As of the time of filing this report, several injured persons were being rushed to the hospitals.

Okpebholo, according to a statement released by his media aide, Godswill Inegbe, said his principal was  receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital in Benin City, along with other members of his entourage who were also injured in the attack.

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Meanwhile, the Edo State government has attributed the attack to thugs and elements working in connivance with the reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, under the guise of enforcing a judgment returning him to office.

The government, in a statement signed by the commissioner for communication and orientation, alleged that Shaibu led thugs through the Airport Road axis of Benin City, attacking innocent citizens and unleashing mayhem on private citizens who were going about their lawful businesses.

“The state government, through this statement, is warning Shaibu to desist from this turn to violence in the pretence 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 are well documented, 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 urge the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as the 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.

Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted, said the police command is holding a meeting over the attack with a promise to state the incident.