Edo 2016: Obaseki, others escape death as thugs open fire at campaign venue

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki and his supporters escaped death, yesterday, when armed men opened fire on them at Sobe, Owan West Local Government Area of the state.


However, brave youths in the area pursued the suspected thugs and apprehended them with their guns and they were handed over to the Police.

The state Commissioner for Arts and Culture, McDonald Obasuke, who confirmed the incident shortly after it happened at 5:30p.m., said he saw a man who went inside a vehicle and brought out a gun and shot at the venue where Obaseki was about to address the APC delegates. Obaseki, who spoke to Vanguard about 6:30p.m., expressed shock over the incident, saying that he could not continue with the event because of the shooting.

According to Obasuke, “While we were still expecting delegates, Obaseki was already inside with the party leaders when this boy, who pretended he was with us, went inside a car, brought out a gun and fired in our direction.

 “We were lucky to dodge the bullet, so we immediately mobilised our boys and pursued him and others because it seemed they came to disrupt the event. We caught them and handed them over to the police. It was really shocking but we thank God nobody was hurt.

 However, Obaseki could not address the delegates because of the shooting.

” Obaseki told Vanguard: “I called off the meeting with the delegates because I had to be whisked off by my security men. No one was hurt though. I cannot be intimidated. Whoever did this has failed because we will continue with our campaign.

” The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Osifo, when contacted, said he was yet to be briefed, but promised to call the Divisional Police Officer at Sabongida Ora for details of what happened.