Gunmen Attack Convoy of Edo Deputy Speaker, Lawmakers

The crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly assumed a dangerous dimension Sunday with an alleged attack on three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers by unknown gunmen.

Those allegedly attacked were the suspended Deputy Speaker, Hon. Festus Ibea, the Minority Leader, Hon. Emmanuel Okoduwa, and Hon. Patrick Iluobe.

It was gathered that the lawmakers were returning 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.‎

One of the lawmakers who spoke to journalists in Benin alleged 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.

He added 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, while one of the drivers of the vehicles in their convoy 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, adding that it was obvious that the lawmakers were the target of the attack.

He confirmed that the incident has been reported at the Abudu police station. He said 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.