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.
By SaharaReporters
At least a policeman reportedly died on Thursday when some gunmen attacked the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu’s security details in Benin, Edo State.
The gun battle which was captured in a viral video seen on X by SaharaReporters 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.
All efforts made by SaharaReporters to reach the Edo State Police Command for reaction to the incident were not successful. His phone number could not be reached despite several attempts made by our correspondent.