Oshiomhole survives assassination attempt

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.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria