Suspects in attack on Okpebholo, Shaibu now in hiding – Police; Edo govt denies plan to cause crisis if they are arrested
By Usman Aliyu
Benin, July 22, 2024
The Police in Edo say gunmen involved in the attack on Senator Monday Okpebholo, APC Governorship Candidate for Edo and the state’s reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, have gone into hiding.
The Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye said this on Monday while giving an update on the investigation into the July 18 attack on Airport Road in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some suspected political thugs attacked Okpebholo and Shaibu, while exiting the Benin Airport, shortly after their arrival from Abuja.
In the attack, the gunmen killed an Inspector of Police, Onu Akon, an orderly to Okpebholo and injured many others.
Adegboye said those fingered in the bloody attack had fled the state.
The commissioner of police, who failed to mention names of the suspects under investigation, assured the public that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the mystery surrounding the killing of the gallant officer and attempted murder Okpebholo.
He said the command would not leave any stone unturned to fish out the perpetrators.
According to him, the police have dropped the invitation with family members of the suspects.
“If they fail to honour the invitation, appropriate legal procedure will be followed and this may include declaring them wanted,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Edo government has denied any plan to cause mayhem should those responsible for the July 18 attack on Okpebholo and Shaibu be arrested and prosecuted.
The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said on Monday in Benin that the governor was only reacting to alleged plans by the opposition to rig the election come Sept. 21.
Nehikhare said, in a statement, that the governor planned to seek redress in court should the election be rigged.
The commissioner said the governor’s statement followed a call by the APC for the impeachment of Godwin Obaseki for allegedly calling for mayhem should the killers of a police officer in the Benin airport attack be arrested.
Nehikhare noted that the threat was only in respect of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
He accused the APC of plotting to disrupt a peaceful election, citing the recent violence and mayhem caused by the party’s supporters.
“The APC has clearly shown their plan for the Sept. 21 governorship election, which is to cause mayhem, make the state ungovernable, and take advantage of the chaos to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election,” he said.
The commissioner advised the opposition to “read the mood of the nation” and stop what would lead to crisis in the country.
