The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21 governorship election and Senator representing Edo Central, Senator Monday Okpebholo has blamed the Edo State Government and Edo State Vigilante Network (ESVN) over the death of one of his security aides who was allegedly killed in a shoot out between two opposing thugs on Thursday at the Airport Road, Benin City.
Okpebholo in a statement signed by his Legislative Aide on Media & Communication, Godswill Inegbe said it was an assassination attempt on him.
The statement reads, “This afternoon, the motorcade of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC governorship candidate, was brutally attacked by members of Edo State Security Network and Edo state government-sponsored thugs allegedly led by Francis Inegbeniki.
During the unprovoked brutal attack, three mobile policemen attached to the security detail of Senator Okpebholo were injured with bullet wounds, while one of the policemen was declared dead!
Senator Monday Okpebholo is at this moment admitted to an undisclosed hospital in Benin receiving medical attention, and other members of his entourage who were victims of the brutal attack are in various hospitals in Benin City.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare blamed the attack on impeached Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
Nehikhare alleged that Shaibu was responsible for the attack in an attempt to enforce the Abuja High Court judgement.
The statement warned Shaibu “to desist from this turn of violence in the pretence that he is enforcing a judgement”.
He added, “The Edo State Government has observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs and elements working in connivance with former Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu in the guise of purportedly enforcing a judgement reinstating him in office.
“Shaibu led thugs through the Airport Road axis of Benin City, attacking innocent citizens and unleashing mayhem on private citizens who are 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.”