BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Edo State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the shooting incident that resulted in the death of a police orderly attached to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.
The fatal shooting, which occurred yesterday few meters away from the Benin airport under yet-to-be ascertained circumstances, has sparked outrage and concern among political circles and the public.
The State Police Commissioner (CP), Funsho Adegboye while mourning the death of the police orderly Insp Onuh Akor, a personnel of Mopol 45, Abuja, stressed that the incident was avoidable if all political gladiators had played the game according to the rules.
Some passers-by hit by bullets during the broad day light sporadic shooting have been hospitalized.
The CP stated this while addressing journalists on the ugly incident in Benin City, today.
“This time around I am talking to our political gladiators generally irrespective of party affiliation including our party supporters. It is a simple thing, if there is a court case it has to be pursued to a logical conclusion in the court, this will make the job of the police simple. Our job is simple if our political gladiators want us to make it so.
“Whatever judgement you have is pursued in the court, it is not the duty of the police to now say okay, follow me let’s do it like this or don’t do this or that. The court will direct the bailiff to enforce most judgement, it is the duty of the police to protect the bailiff and the instructions come from the appropriate quarters.
“Like I said earlier If everybody plays the game according to the rules, the police job is very simple. We are not supposed to be seen to have taken side. There is level playing ground, the police are not supposed to be dragged into unnecessary controversy”, CP Funsho Adegboye said.
He described the tension generated by the shooting as unfortunate and emphasized the urgent need for the investigation to unmask the perpetrators, their motives and sponsors as the state governorship election builds up.
“It is a pity we lost a gallant Inspector, we are the most bereaved, he is our family member, it is unfortunate and we pray that God Almighty grants his soul eternal rest”, the Commissioner stated.
On what transpired, the CP Funsho Adegboye explained that on the receipt of information about unusual gathering of hundreds of jubilant at the Benin Airport about 1:00pm yesterday he went there in company of some of his men to ascertain what was happening.
“I had information that some people gathered at the airport, and I went in there because our own is to maintain law and order. We were there, myself and my men”, he stated.
CP Adegboye narrated further that at the airport he discussed with the state deputy governor Comrade Philip Shaibu whose impeachment by State House of Assembly was overturned last Tuesday in company of the APC candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial election, Senator Monday Okpebholo who was being welcomed from Abuja.
“It was after the men left the airport that we heard the shootings which led to the death of the Inspector. We are investigating it, we are having some names, very soon, they will be in our net, and we will carry our very thorough investigation”, he added.
Armed men suspected to be political thugs were said to have waited few meters away from the airport exit gate and opened fire on the jubilant convoy of Comrade Philip Shaibu and Senator Monday Okpebholo whose police orderly died after being hit by bullets from the hoodlums.
The Commissioner however denied receiving prior intelligence of the shooting.
“Nobody gave me any intelligence about the people, (attackers).
“I was at the airport with my men to see things for myself and to maintain law and order. They were dancing and jubilating and there was no single incident at the airport until after the airport premises”, the police Chief told journalists.
