The police Command in Edo State has begun investigation into the alleged sporadic shooting incident around the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal in Benin on Wednesday.
The presence of armed thugs, who converged on Ezoti street junction beside Edo State High court complex in Benin, chanting give us our mandate, forced Benin residents, including startled bystanders indoors while workers at the Museum for West Africa Arts (MOWAA) construction site, scampered to safely during the melee.
One of the armed self-style man wearing a nose mask and white punk cap atop black shirt underneath a white branded shirt marked AiO2, emerging from an unregistered white Toyota Hilux van and fired multiple shots into the air, causing panic among residents over the sound of gunfire echoed at the tribunal premises, creating a tense atmosphere.
But there was heavy security presence by security operatives including men of the Nigeria Police Force that codoned-off the various routes, leading to the tribunal venue.
Speaking in an interview with TheNewspad reporter, the Command’s Spokesman, SP Moses Yamu hours after pandemonium broke out, said the Command is investigating that incident and bring the culprits to book.
The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, condemned the incident in a statement where he described the act of violence at the court as deeply disturbing.
According to him, “resorting to violence to resolve disputes is never justifiable” regardless of political affiliation.
He said, “violence has no place in a civilized society, and those responsible for this heinous act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception”.
“The Tribunal is a sacred space where justice is meant to be administered impartially.
“Any act of violence within its walls undermines the very foundation of our legal system and threatens the safety of all involved”, Tenebe said.
Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee,
Tony Aziegbemi said the incident was a devious ploy to frustrate our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from reclaiming the mandate duly given to the umbrella party by Edo State in the September 21st State governorship election
at the tribunal.
He alleged that the APC deployed thugs disguised in PDP-branded attire to disrupt the legal process, while pointing accusing fingers at the main opposition party.
In the mean time, a Benin based socialite, Dion Osagie, has announced N100,000 bounty as reward to anyone that could identify the armed man for arrest and prosecution.
Osagie who made the pledge on Facebook, sought “information to apprehend this criminal. Send me a DM!!”
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