AGENE GODWIN,Benin
Some Edo State Correspondents of Nigerian newspapers Thursday narrowly escaped being lynched to death by suspected thugs loyal to a governorship aspirant.
The media men who were rescued from the rampaging hoodlums include the Correspondent of Champion, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, the cameraman of Channels Television, Mr. Osato Egbe and his reporter, Patrick Ochoga of the Leadership Newspapers as well as the Nation Newspaper reporter Ben Osemwegie Ogbemudia who escaped being lynched to death by the angry looking thugs who descended on them and were about seizing the media organization’s television camera and other recording equipment but were stopped through the timely intervention of some leaders of the group.
Tension was heightened in Benin, the Edo state capital Thursday as the thugs loyal to one of the governorship aspirants mounted siege to the private residence of the suspended Edo South senatorial leader, Barrister Gentleman Amegor.
The thugs loyal to Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the chairman of Edo state Economic Team, believed to be Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s choice for the number one seat at Osadebay Avenue Government House Benin, in their hundreds had laid siege to Amegor’s residence on Siluko road to stop a proposed senatorial meeting slated for the area.
The journalists alongside others were at the venue of the meeting to cover the proceedings when the ugly incident occurred.
Besides, the hoodlums further descended on Amegor’s visitors and residents of the street who were moving about their lawful businesses within the locality.
Amegor, who was dressed in white native attire, accompanied by few persons whose identities could not be ascertained as at press time, apparently looking worried, was sighted at his balcony appealing to the thugs for calm.
The thugs had stormed the private residence of Barr. Amegor in various vehicles branded with campaign stickers of Godwin Obaseki.
It would be recalled that Amegor was suspended from the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, as its South Senatorial leader for alleged anti-party activities.
