Suspected thugs fired intermittent gunshots near the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal premises on Wednesday, causing tension in Benin City and escalating local security fears.
The event happened next to the High Court complex on Reservation Street, close to Ezoti Junction.
A young person loading ammunition into a pump-action gun while sporting a headgear bearing the People’s Democratic Party logo was caught on camera in a widely shared video.
He shot several times into the air as he emerged from an unregistered white Toyota Hilux van, frightening onlookers.
The gunshots, according to witnesses, reverberated around the tribunal’s grounds, disturbing the proceedings as shocked onlookers stood in disbelief. According to reports, nearby armed police officers did not try to step in.
The attacker, yelling, “Give us our mandate,” was joined by another, and the two of them got back into the Hilux van and drove off.
Jarrett Tenebe, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, responded to the event by accusing PDP supporters of planning the attack.
Tenebe denounced the violence as an insult to the integrity of the legal system.
“It is extremely upsetting and unacceptable that members of the opposition PDP were involved in the shooting incident that occurred today close to the Governorship Election Tribunal in Benin City.
“Justice should be administered impartially in the tribunal, which is a sacred space.” Tenebe stated, “Any violent act within its precinct jeopardizes everyone involved and undermines our legal system.”
He pleaded with the authorities to make sure the guilty are held accountable.
Tony Aziegbemi, the Acting Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, on the other hand, refuted the accusations, calling them unfounded and an attempt by the APC to damage the party’s reputation.
According to Aziegbemi, the APC planned the incident and misled the people by dressing their goons in PDP clothing in order to obstruct the proceedings.
“The APC has persisted in its cunning strategy to prevent the PDP from regaining the mandate that the Edo people gave us in the most recent governorship election because they are afraid of justice,” Aziegbemi stated.
“The PDP instructed all of its members and supporters to refrain from attending the tribunal proceedings today,” he continued. We anticipated the APC’s plans to incite violence, therefore we strictly followed this directive.
The attacker’s face was apparent in the widely shared video, and Aziegbemi expressed sadness that the police were unable to capture him.
He urged law enforcement to make sure the offender is taken into custody and faces charges.
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