The immediate past Chairman of All Progressive Party (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole cheated death on Tuesday when a trailer driving in the same direction veered off its lane and hit his convoy.
Two policemen embedded in the convoy were not that lucky as they both lost their lives in an accident that Oshiomohle’s aide believed was an assassination attempt. A couple of other policemen also sustained various degrees of injuries.
Victor Oshioke, his media aide said the incident happened around 12.00 hours along Benin/Lagos bypass close to Oluku junction when the former governor and his team were on their way to Ovia local government area of the state for political campaign.
He said further in a statement made available to the media: ‘’The convoy was heading for Usen, where Comrade Oshiomhole was expected to appear at a campaign rally, along with Pastor Ize-Iyamu, when a trailer driving in the same direction veered off its course, hit the back-up Toyota Hilux carrying seven policemen, forcing it off the road into the bush and rammed into the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) carrying Comrade Oshiomhole, causing substantial damage.
“Comrade Oshiomhole and other persons in the convoy, apart from those indicated above, did not sustain any injury.
“It is pertinent to state, without fear of contradiction, that the convoy of Comrade Oshiomhole was maintaining legal speed limit when the incident occurred.
‘’This explains why the trailer, travelling in the same direction overran the Toyota Hilux vehicle off the road and still hit the SUV carrying Comrade Oshiomhole, causing substantial damage.’’
While insinuating that the accident was not a mere coincidence, he added: “Without prejudice to police investigations, eyewitnesses account of the incident suggest, and we believe rightly too, that this was an assassination attempt targeting Comrade Oshiomhole.”
“While we pray for the quick recovery of the injured policemen, we extend our condolences to the families of the departed.
“Comrade Oshiomhole has visited the injured policemen in the hospital and he deployed some of his aides to be on standby at the hospital to ensure that the wounded policemen are given the best medical attention possible.
“The case was immediately reported at the Ekiadolor Police Station and investigations are ongoing.
“We call on the security agencies to do everything possible to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, especially because of the threat to the life of Comrade Oshiomhole and the violence which has been directed towards him and the people around him in recent times.”
Meanwhile, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has condoled with Oshiomhole and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, over accident, in a statement released to the media.
His statement reads, “I received the news of the accident with shock and commiserate with the former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the candidate of the APC in the forthcoming governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu over the very unfortunate incident involving their security aides and top chieftains of the party in the campaign team.” He added,
“While we pray for strength for the families of the deceased persons, we also pray for the quick recovery of those who were injured and are receiving treatment.”
