Gunmen Attack Convoy Of Edo Deputy Speaker, Others

The Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Festus Ibea, along with the Minority Leader, Emmanuel Okoduwa, and a member of house, Patrick Iluobe. were reportedly attacked by unknown gunmen on Sunday, 22 June, 2014.

PMNEWS reports that the lawmakers were attacked on their return from Ebele, Igueben local government area of the state, where they had attended the investiture of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Anthony Anenih, by the Anglican Church during their 16th Synod.‎

While narrati ng their ordeal, one of the lawmakers told newsmen in Benin that the three of them were inside an SUV belonging to one of them and were returning to Benin in a convoy consisting of some other vehicles when the assailants stopped their convoy at Abudu, headquarters of Orhiomwon local government area of the state and opened fire on them.

The lawmaker stated that one of the gunmen was, however killed in an exchange of fire that followed between the assailants and the security operatives attached to the deputy speaker.

He also added that one of their drivers was shot and is now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.

Commenting on the incident, Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the lawmakers were just ahead of them when the incident happened.

He said that it was obvious that the lawmakers were the target of the attack and that the incident has been reported at the Abudu police station.

The party chief stated that his party could not understand why the attack happened at a time when some of the lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly just joined the PDP.

"They were confronted with a hail of bullets. The event they attended was well publicised and it is obvious that the attack was aimed at them. We call on the police to investigate and find out the people behind the attack.

"However, we thank God for saving their lives from blood-thirsty political assassins," Orbih said.

It could be recalled that the Edo State House of Assemble has been in turmoil for sometime that had led to suspension and counter suspension from members of the house.

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole recently accused the presidency of masterminding the crisis in the legislative house with the aim of removing the Speaker of the house.