BEVERLY HILLS, May 01, (THEWILL) – The Police High Command in Benin, Edo State has launched a manhunt to bring the attackers of the state deputy governor, Dr Pius Odubu to book.
Odubu escaped bullets from suspected thugs who shot at his campaign entourage at Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Estako West local government area of Edo state.
Although he was not injured, the incident left eight persons critically injured, including a policeman and an operative of the State Security Service, and are being treated in UBTH.
THEWILL recalls that Odubu had last Wednesday formally declared his intention to run for the September 10 gubernatorial election in the state, under the All Progressives Congress and succeed his boss, Adams Oshiomhole.
He was scheduled to meet with party delegates from the area but met the gates of Secretariat in Fugar under lock and key, a situation that was said to have angered some delegates who forced the gate open to enable the Deputy Governor meet with them outside the Secretariat.
He was said to have left for Auchi and was meeting with some delegates when the gunmen suddenly appeared, firing gunshots at his convoy.
Reacting, the Police Commissioner, Edo State, Chris Ezike, said the command was ready to ensure the safety and security of lives and property during and after the governorship elections.
“I have given a marching order that those involved be arrested. This thing happened in the day time, names have been mentioned and we going after them,” he said.
“The actors in this game should know that power belongs to God. It is our appeal that they conduct themselves and their supporters in a lawful manner.
“We will get to the bottom of the incident. Luckily a few names have been mentioned and they are not ghosts.”
