Gunmen kill police at Shaibu reception, Edo govt blames deputy governor

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

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

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

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

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

However, the Assembly said in a statement that it had appealed the ruling.

It was not immediately clear if Okpebholo was injured in the incident.

READ ALSO: EDO: PDP chairman Orbih says court ruling against Edo deputy governor Shaibu will deepen democracy

State police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor confirmed the attack to reporters.

He said the incident occurred along Airport Road shortly after the group left 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 in the state with his hoodlums.

APC candidate spokesman Godswill Inegbe also confirmed the attack.

He said Okpebholo had been treated along with other members of the group at an undisclosed hospital in Benin City.

“During the unprovoked attack, three mobile policemen attached to Senator Okpebholo’s security detail sustained gunshot wounds, while one policeman is feared dead,” the spokesman added.

Gunmen kill policemen at Shaibu reception, Edo govt blames deputy governor first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.