Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
Suspected political thugs thursday attacked Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, top government officials and stalwarts of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria in Usen town, Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, said the thugs, suspected to be agents of an opposition party, opened fired on Oshiomhole and others who were on a campaign for the July governorship election in the state in the area.
Thursday’s incident was the second time Oshiomhole would escape death in two months since campaigns for the July 14 governorship election in the state gathered momentum.
The governor escaped by a whisker on April 29 when a tipper ran into his convoy on Auchi-Warrake road, during which three journalists were killed.
Odion said Oshiomhole, shortly after paying homage to the Onogie of Usen, His Royal Highness Oluogbe II, at his palace left at about 6pm when his convoy ran into a barricade not too far from the palace.
“Naturally, the security details attached to the governor came down to remove the bar. As they were clearing it, tens of heavily armed thugs emerged from nowhere and opened fire on the governor for several seconds.
“Dutifully, the brave security details attached to the governor, supported by an additional contingent of regular policemen deployed to maintain law and order, rose to the occasion. They were able to shield the governor, key government functionaries and others, including top leaders of Edo Action Congress of Nigeria, to safety without sustaining any human casualty.
“But several official vehicles, including Toyota Landcruisers, Hilux pick-up vans and Toyota Corolla saloon cars, were either badly damaged or riddled with bullets.
“Apparently annoyed that they missed their target, the thugs later descended on the near-by police post and vandalised it,” the statement added.
The state government, while condemning the attack on the governor, however, urged politicians to play by the rules and not to resort to violence as a campaign strategy.
The statement added that but for the restraint displayed by the governor’s team, there could have been heavy casualty toll in the attack.
The government urged the people to remain calm and law-abiding, so as not to play into the hands of those desirous of fomenting trouble out of fear that they might lose the election.