Police probe vandalism of Shaibu’s campaign bus by gunmen

The police have retrieved for investigation a campaign vehicle belonging to the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, which was vandalised by gun-totting hoodlums on Sunday night.

The bus was reportedly vandalised by suspected hoodlums in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.

Shaibu is an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party for the upcoming governorship election later in the year.

His principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, is not favourably disposed to his ambition, which has strained their relationship.

It was learnt that Shaibu’s campaign bus was destroyed on Sunday night after a meeting of his supporters in Illeh, Ward 10.

Narrating the incident on the phone, the coordinator of Shaibu’s campaign in the area, Otoide Abas, said the vandalised vehicle had been retrieved by the police and taken to the police station.

He said, “We had just concluded a meeting with Ward 10 (Illeh) PDP faithful when the incident occurred. We started the meeting at about 5 pm and we finished a few minutes before 6 pm.

“After the meeting, we went in the Sienna bus given to us by Comrade Shaibu to Ekpoma to meet with other supporters and we decided to make a quick stop at the local market square in Ekpoma to purchase some beef barbecue (Suya).

“We were standing by where we wanted to buy something when we saw about seven boys come down from a bus packed close by and started shooting; we all ran for safety and they went to where we parked the bus and destroyed it.

“The police retrieved the vehicle that night and as I am talking to you, I am in the police station because I was told to report today (Monday).”

In December,  Shaibu lamented the vandalism of his campaign billboard in the Ring Road area of the city, alleging that it was a state-sponsored attack to frustrate his governorship ambition.