Chaos and pandemonium reigned freely in Benin on Thursday as impeached deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu returned to Benin.
In a bid to make a show of his return to the state following a court judgement in Abuja on Wednesday, Shaibu, in cahoot with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, allegedly hired thugs to receive him at the Benin Airport.
As expected, the thugs soon went berserk, shooting sporadically in all directions and smashing both private and government cars and other vehicles within sight.
Campaign banners and billboards were not spared either. The rampaging thugs and hoodlums then reportedly escorted Shaibu and Okpebholo in a convoy through the ever busy Airport Road, shooting and chanting war songs.
With their menacing activities, civilians scurried into safety. Gunshots were heard across the Oredo Local Government Area for a long time, forcing business owners to hurriedly close shop and scamper for safety.
An eye witness said: “It was a scary sight. They were armed. Shaibu should not do this to our state. It’s not a do-or-die affair. Why is he so desperate about the whole thing?
“He claims to be a Christian. Does he not know that only God gives power and position?
“As for Okpebholo, is this the way he wants to convince Edo people to vote for him? Instead of visiting violence and thuggery on the people of the state, he should go and campaign and convince them to vote for him. Violence will not take anybody to Osadebey Avenue in September. See, all the traders had to close their shops and run away for their lives. They are not yet in government, they are already showing signs of Lions and Tigers. What if they are now the party in power”, he asked.
As at the time of filling this report, the state Police Command was yet to make any statement about the sporadic shooting that could be heard from its headquarters, and even at the 4th Brigade in Benin.
