EDO Government and Shaibu Clash Over Police Officer’s Death and Benin Airport Incident

In the wake of last Thursday’s violence at Benin Airport, which resulted in the death of Police Inspector Akor Onuh, tensions have escalated between the Edo State Government and reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. Both sides are now accusing each other of masterminding the crisis.

According to NIGERIA NEWS 247, the Edo State Government has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that Shaibu, in collaboration with certain APC leaders, orchestrated the violence. In response, Shaibu has accused the state’s security agencies of being responsible for the police officer’s death.

The incident occurred on July 18, 2024, when armed political thugs, allegedly sponsored, attacked the Benin Airport area as Shaibu and APC governorship candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo arrived from Abuja. The attack led to the fatal shooting of Inspector Akor Onuh of MOPOL 45 Abuja, who was attached to the APC candidate, and left several others injured.

The petition from the Edo State Government, signed by State Solicitor General Prof. Faith Osadolor on behalf of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, called for an investigation into the alleged conspiracy to commit murder and related charges. It demands that Shaibu and his supporters be questioned and, if found guilty, face justice.

Reacting to the allegations, Shaibu dismissed the petition as legally unfounded. Speaking at a Thanksgiving service on Sunday, Shaibu accused the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and the State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) of being responsible for the attack and the death of the police officer. He criticized the state government for attempting to distance itself from the incident, asserting that the truth would come out, particularly given the serious nature of the crime.

Shaibu called on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police to establish an inquiry into the incident and to consider disbanding the vigilantes and PUWOV, which he claims were involved in the violence.