Gunmen kill police officer during Shaibu’s reception, Edo govt blames deputy governor

Gunmen on Thursday shot dead a police officer identified as Inspector Onu Ako during a reception for the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.

The deceased was attached to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Monday Okpebholo.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the impeachment of Shaibu by the state House of Assembly.

He also restrained Obaseki and the Assembly from stopping Shaibu from performing the functions of his office.

The judge equally ordered the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to restore the deputy governor’s security details.

The Assembly, however, said in a statement, it had appealed the judgement.

It is not immediately clear if Okpebholo was wounded in the incident.

READ ALSO: EDO: PDP chieftain, Orbih, says court judgment on Edo dep gov, Shaibu, will deepen democracy

The spokesman for the state police command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the attack to journalists.

He said the incident occurred along the Airport Road shortly after the entourage left the Benin Airport.

However, the state government in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, accused Shaibu of unleashing mayhem on innocent people of the state with his thugs.

The spokesman for the APC candidate, Godswill Inegbe, also confirmed the attack.

He said Okpebholo had been admitted with other members of the entourage to an undisclosed hospital in Benin City.

“During the unprovoked attack, three mobile policemen attached to the security detail of Senator Okpebholo were injured with bullet wounds, while one of the policemen has been feared dead,” the spokesman added.

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