Governor Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday, survived an
assassination attempt when gunmen attacked his motorcade while he was
campaigning at Usen town, Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.
Oshiomhole, who is vying for a second term in office as the
candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), had visited the traditional
ruler of Usen, Oluogbe II, and was on his way back when the attack occurred.
The state's Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Louis
Odion, confirmed the incident. "At about 6pm local time, Governor
Oshiomhole’s convoy left the palace; it had not travelled too far down the road
when it ran into a barricade," he said. "Naturally, the security details
attached to the governor came down to remove the bar. As they were clearing the
place, 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 leaders of Edo ACN to safety
without sustaining any human casualties. But several official vehicles,
including Toyota Landcruisers, Hilux pick-up van and Toyota Corolla saloon car
were either badly damaged or riddled with bullets."
According to Odion, after the attack was repelled, the gunmen
descended on the near-by police post and vandalised it. He also accused the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of being behind the attack.
"The Edo State Government wishes to condemn this latest
assault on Governor Oshiomhole in strongest terms and urge the national leadership
of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call their members in Edo State to
order," he said. "The misguided elements in the rank in Edo State
should realise that not only they have the monopoly of violence.
But for the uncommon restraint displayed by the Governor’s team
in the face of sheer provocation, there could have been heavy casualty toll.
The state government wishes to enjoin the good people of Edo to remain calm and
be law-abiding, so as not to play into the hands of those bent on plunging the
state into anarchy to escape imminent defeat at the polls."