The Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of
Assembly, Festus Ibea, along with the Minority
Leader, Emmanuel Okoduwa, and a member of
house, Patrick Iluobe. were reportedly attacked by
unknown gunmen on Sunday, 22 June, 2014.
PMNEWS reports that the lawmakers were attacked
on their return from Ebele, Igueben local government
area of the state, where they had attended the
investiture of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
of the PDP, Chief Anthony Anenih, by the Anglican
Church during their 16th Synod.
While narrati ng their ordeal, one of the lawmakers
told newsmen in Benin that the three of them were
inside an SUV belonging to one of them and were
returning to Benin in a convoy consisting of some
other vehicles when the assailants stopped their
convoy at Abudu, headquarters of Orhiomwon local
government area of the state and opened fire on
them.
The lawmaker stated that one of the gunmen was,
however killed in an exchange of fire that followed
between the assailants and the security operatives
attached to the deputy speaker.
He also added that one of their drivers was shot and
is now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed
hospital.
Commenting on the incident, Edo State Chairman of
the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the lawmakers were
just ahead of them when the incident happened.
He said that it was obvious that the lawmakers were
the target of the attack and that the incident has
been reported at the Abudu police station.
* Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly,
Ibea
The party chief stated that his party could not
understand why the attack happened at a time when
some of the lawmakers in the Edo State House of
Assembly just joined the PDP.
"They were confronted with a hail of bullets. The
event they attended was well publicised and it is
obvious that the attack was aimed at them. We call
on the police to investigate and find out the people
behind the attack.
"However, we thank God for saving their lives from
blood-thirsty political assassins," Orbih said.
It could be recalled that the Edo State House of
Assemble has been in turmoil for sometime that had
led to suspension and counter suspension from
members of the house.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole recently
accused the
presidency of masterminding the crisis
in the legislative house with the aim of removing the
Speaker of the house.