Edo government has called on the federal government to set up a panel to unravel the cause of the shooting that claimed the life of a police officer at Benin airport gate.

A police officer attached to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Monday Okpebholo, was on Thursday shot dead during a clash at the exit gate of the Benin airport.

Chris Nehikhare, the state commissioner for information and orientation, told journalists on Friday in Benin that the state commissioner of police was a witness to what happened at the Benin Airport.

“Shaibu got judgement and flew to Benin with his friends and before entry Benin, he mobilised armed thugs to wait for him at the Benin Airport.

“And on arrival, they unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of Edo state and in the process, a police officer was killed and many others were injured.

“The state commissioner of police had intelligence report and went to the airport to caution him not to allow his boys to assemble at the airport or anywhere in the state; he defied the advice.

“We had appealed the judgment reinstating him as the deputy governor and filled for a stay of execution immediately after we got Certified True Copy (CTC), and he was shown the restraining order from the court.

“The CP should be arresting him because, as it stands today, he is not the deputy governor and has no immunity.

“We are now calling on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to look into the crisis.

“The whole thing happened in the presence of the commissioner of police and he is one of the witnesses,” he said.

Mr Nehikhare disclosed that the state government would no longer fold its arms and watch thugs cause mayhem in the state.

He said that efforts were being made to ensure that the violence did not degenerate further, adding that the government was resolute that the election would be free and fair in the state.

According to him, the opposition party wants to draw the attention of the federal government and create the impression of anarchy and call for a state of emergency.

He called on the residents of the state to remain calm, adding that the government was working round the clock to ensure a peaceful state ahead of the Sept. 21 governorship election.

In his reaction, the reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, denied the allegations, stressing that he would never sponsor an attack against himself.

“What happened yesterday was an assassination attempt on my life.

“When I was impeached, Shaibu that you know, would have protested on the street of Benin but I decided that I do not want to take people to the street and get them killed.

“So, I decided to use the court to prove that the impeachment was unlawful, but unfortunately, what I tried to avoid by not protesting still happened yesterday.

“And I feel sad about it because I am a peaceful person.

“This fight is not about me, but one that is targeted at restoring dignity and respect to the office of the deputy governor,” he said.

He said he never envisaged that he and the governor would be on the path they were currently.

“I thank God that I never betrayed him,’’ he said.

(NAN)