From Moshood Karim
Benin City was thrown into panic on Wednesday morning after gunfire erupted near the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal. The commotion unfolded on Ezoti Street, close to the High Court complex, leaving residents and tribunal attendees shaken.
According to eyewitness accounts, an armed individual believed to be aligned with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) emerged from a white, unregistered Toyota Hilux. Clad in a cap bearing the code “A102”, linked to PDP’s defeated candidate, Mr Asue Akintunde Ighodalo, the man loaded a pump-action rifle and fired shots into the air.
The loud gunfire caused pandemonium, with bystanders fleeing the area in fear. Proceedings within the tribunal were momentarily overshadowed by the echoes of gunshots, adding to an already tense political atmosphere in the state.
Despite the presence of some police officers nearby, their response appeared ineffective, leaving the public concerned about the security arrangements surrounding the tribunal.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities are yet to confirm if any arrests have been made, while residents have called for heightened security in the area to prevent further incidents.
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