A day after being reinstated as Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu reportedly faced a gun attack in Benin City.
Shaibu, who had been impeached but reinstated by a Federal High Court on Wednesday, was attacked upon returning from Abuja on Thursday.
According to reports, he was with Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor, when assailants opened fire on their convoy, killing a policeman.
The attack occurred on Airport Road as they arrived from Abuja. Okpebholo is hospitalised, but his condition is unclear.
The police are investigating.
Following the attack, security around the Deputy Governor’s premises was tightened.
The Edo Government through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, accused Shaibu of causing violence through thugs in retaliation for his reinstatement.
The government urged the public to remain calm as they work to restore peace.
Shaibu has not commented on the incident, but Okpebholo’s aide, Mr Godswill Inegbe, confirmed the attack and injuries to three policemen, with one feared dead.
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly, which impeached Shaibu, has appealed the court’s decision to reinstate him.