‘Armed thugs’ break into Edo deputy governor’s house

Suspected thugs have attacked the family house of Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo state.

The suspects reportedly invaded the house located in Jattu-Uzairue, Etsako west local government area, on Saturday.

They were said to have scaled the fence into the compound. A patrol team from the Edo state police command, however, responded to a distress call from the family members of the deputy governor after which the suspects were arrested.

A witness said some of the items retrieved from the attackers include locally-made gun, cutlass, battle axe and gunpowder.

A policeman, who spoke off the record, said five of the suspects were arrested while some other members of the gang escaped. He said the suspects have been transferred to the area command while efforts are being made to arrest the others.

But Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesman of the state police command, gave a different account of the incident, saying the residence of Shaibu was not the primary target of the suspect.

“Within the hours of 1 to 2am today, we received a distress call from the family that they apprehended a suspect. The DPO quickly went there and when he got there, he met a young man apprehended by the family,” he said.

“He confirmed that himself and others went to somewhere and as they chased them, they scattered for safety and he found himself in the deputy governor’s family house which is opposite the deputy governor’s house.

“He led the DPO to a house where they arrested additional four suspects. As we speak, the DPO has transferred the suspects and the recovered items to Auchi area command.”

There has been tension in Edo since Godwin Obaseki, the governor, fell out with Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives (APC).

The disagreement between the duo led to the split of the Edo chapter of the APC. The faction loyal to Obaseki had announced the suspension of Oshiomhole while the pro-Oshiomhole group also suspended the governor.

Shaibu is of the faction of Obaseki.