One of the policemen attached to the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has been confirmed dead in the sporadic gunshots that occurred at the exit gate of the Benin Airport when thugs attacked convoy of the reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.
The gun battle which lasted for several minutes started when the convoy of Shaibu and Okpebholo were about leaving the airport causing panic for road users and residents along the Airport Road as many scamper for safety.
APC Acting State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe who confirmed the death of the policeman also said several persons sustained different degrees of injuries in the attack. The party leaders called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book
Shaibu made his entry into Edo State barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court judgement invalidated his impeachment as Deputy Governor. From the Benin Airport, in company of Senator Okpebholo, the reinstated Deputy Governor proceeded to the APC Secretariat in Benin City with large crowd of supporters.
Following the death of the policeman, his body was taken in a procession to the Edo State Police Command causing heavy traffic on the Benin-Sapele Road.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government which described Philip Shaibu as former Deputy Governor said it has observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs and elements allegedly working in conivance with him in the guise of purportedly enforcing a judgement reinstating him in office.
A statement signed and released by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, claimed that Philip Shaibu led thugs through 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 says it is warning Shaibu to desist from this turn to violence in the pretense that he is enforcing a judgement, and he is reminded that he is not above the law and is liable for the wanton destruction perpetrated by him and his co-travellers.
Nehikhare observed that Shaibu’s alleged violent tendencies is well documented and he has been warned at different times by respected figures of society, including the revered Benin Monarch to shun violence.
He reiterated that the former Deputy Governor will face the consequences of violence that he has supposedly 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.
The Commissioner enjoined 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 Edo in the face of undue provocation.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
