Mayhem in Edo legislative quarters

• Majority leader’s wife, son in coma as thugs attack lawmakers’ homes
• Police arrest 10 suspects

Guns boomed endlessly as suspected Peoples Democratic Party thugs invaded the Edo State Legislative Quarters on Ihama Road, Government Reservation Area in Benin, the state capital yesterday morning. Witnesses said the over 150 armed thugs stormed the premises around 5am, shooting sporadically and attacking houses and residents. In the attack, the Speaker, Uyi Igbe; Majority leader, Phillip Shaibu; a principal officer, Kabiru Adjoto, and some All Progressives Congress lawmakers were seriously affected, as their cars and personal effects were destroyed.
Exotic cars belonging to Shaibu, Sunday Aghedo, Folly Ogedengbe and Brigh Osayande were riddled with bullets during the attack that lasted for 30 minutes. It was gathered that security aides attached to the quarters could not withstand the firepower of the rampaging thugs. Shaibu’s wife and son are presently in a coma at an undisclosed hospital in the state capital, following deep stab wounds they sustained when the thugs stormed their house.

The thugs were said to have swooped on the residence of Shaibu representing Etsako West Constituency 2, shot into the building and destroyed all his official cars. It was gathered that when they (thugs) could not locate Shaibu upon gaining entrance into his living room, they stabbed the wife in the neck and descended on the son whom they also stabbed in the back. One of Shaibu’s domestic employees told newsmen that he also sustained a deep injury in his left leg, in an attempt to rescue his boss’ wife and children. The PDP thugs were said to have been led by one ‘Shaba’ in about 10 Hiace buses.
APC thugs were later mobilised to repel the attackers but they had left by the time the rescue team arrived. Yesterday’s invasion may not be unconnected with Tuesday’s violent attack on the PDP lawmaker representing Etsako West 1 constituency, Mr. Abdul Razaq Momoh, by APC thugs. Momoh is currently at the intensive care unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he was rushed to after he was assaulted, following a hot argument with Shaibu.
Igbe yesterday petitioned the state commissioner of police, Foluso Adebanjo, over the incident, alleging that the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Osi Orbih; as former Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; a PDP chieftain, Chief Lucky Imasuen; and the lawmaker representing Orhionmwon South constituency, Mr. Friday Ogierhiakhi, masterminded the invasion.
In his letter, he said, “The group of assassins and thugs in their hundreds were led into the legislators’ quarters by known faces. After the exit of the hoodlums, a cap was found on the premises with the inscription ‘Final Push,’ which is a slogan of a group believed to be sponsored by one Friday Ogierhiakhi.”
He, however, reminded the police boss that “having heard the information of the possible attack yesterday, we expected that security in and around the premises would have been beefed up to foil the attack. Moreso, the few police officers that were supposedly posted to the legislative quarters were absent at the time of the attack.” But Orbih in his reaction said, “There is no truth whatsoever in the allegations.
After welcoming Mr. President to Edo State on Friday, many of us when to our houses, had a light dinner and went to bed. “It is common knowledge that what happened may have been borne out of the attack on Hon. Rasaq Momoh and the fact that those accused are now free today. What happened this morning was not the work of our party. We believe in the law enforcement agencies to deal with the situation.”
He explained that it was regrettable that days after the attack on Momoh, “Governor Adams Oshiomhole has not deemed it fit to condemn the attack on an elected member of the Edo State House of Assembly. Miscreants and officially known thugs are now part of the Edo State Government occupying offices.” Already, a detachment of armed riot policemen have been deployed in the quarters in over 28 patrol vans while security has also been beefed up at Chief Anthony Enahoro legislative complex on Kings Square.
When Sunday New Telegraph visited the legislative quarters, armed policemen barred all human and vehicular movements from the area. Ten persons have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command in connection with the incident, according to the commissioner of police.
Sunday New Telegraph gathered that all the suspects linked with the invasion and destruction of over 38 cars and other valuable properties at the quarters would be arraigned on Monday. Adebanjo confirmed the incident, saying it was being investigated. The ugly incident came barely less than 24 hours after an Oredo Magistrates’ Court granted bail in the sum of N200,000 each to Shaibu, Aghedo and three others for thMayhem in Edo legislative quarterse alleged attack on Momoh.Mayhem in Edo legislative quartersMayhem in Edo legislative quarters
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