The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded a thorough investigation into Thursday’s shooting at the motorcade of its candidate for the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, with a view to bringing to book those who might be responsible for the act.
It would be recalled that violence broke out along the Airport Road in Benin City on Thursday when gunmen, suspected to be thugs, opened fire at the motorcade conveying Okpebholo and the reinstated deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, shortly after the DUP drove out of the Benin Airport.
In the ensuing exchange of gunshots, a policeman attached to Okpebholo was fatally shot, and he gave up the ghost later in the hospital.
In a press statement endorsed by Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Director of Publicity, Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council, it was said that the shooting was an assassination attempt on Okpebholo.
This was just as the Council blamed the incident on the failure of the police to form a ring of protection around the governorship candidate, but he was rather exposed to gunshots, which eventually killed one of his security details, identified as Inspector Ako.
The statement reads:
“Yesterday, July 18, 2024, our candidate for the September 21, 2024 Governorship Election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, escaped an assassination attempt when he arrived at Benin Airport to continue his campaigns. Sadly, the assassins succeeded in gruesomely taking the life of Police Inspector Onu Ako, one of his security details.
“Okpebholo’s peaceful procession from the airport to the APC Secretariat would have been conducted peacefully without any problem if the gunmen had not decided to ambush the candidate and his supporters at the Benin airport exit.
“Let it be known that our candidate did not commit any crime by passing through the airport gate after arriving from Abuja. Likewise, members of the APC received him on his arrival.
“Those who committed the murder of Inspector Ako and attempted to assassinate Senator Okpebholo are the hired criminals who were identified by security agents present at the scene as representatives of the opposition party.
“This unprovoked horrific act of political violence against a peaceful Nigerian senator should have no place in Edo State. It should be unanimously and forcefully condemned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the good people of Edo State.
“After careful reflection, the APC regrets the killing of a serving police officer, who was murdered in cold blood while carrying out his official assignment.
“The party is also appalled by the pain caused by injuries sustained by hundreds of our members during the unexpected attack. We are grateful that Senator Okpebholo appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful motorcade.
“The attempted assassination of Senator Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate, represents a glaring failure by the police, which left a serving senator exposed to gunfire in a breach of security that caused fatalities.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the State Security Service to probe this assassination attempt, bring the culprits to book, and also rein in state-sponsored criminals who have brazenly made the political landscape unsafe.
“Anything short of this is capable of encouraging self-help in the state, especially as we enter the crucial campaign season.
“The vantage point the assassins who were in a marked Sienna bus opposite the exit gate managed to acquire is the greatest security breach and failure, especially as the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, and other top officers were at the airport to ensure peace.
“Let it be known that no amount of violent desperation will prevent the APC from providing leadership for the determined, concerted patriotic forces working to take back Edo State and reset it to a path of peace and prosperity.
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