Austin Ogwuda
27 June 2008
Lagos — A Gang of armed robbers yesterday attacked a convoy of aides of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on the Benin-Warri highway, provoking a shootout. A police driver behind the wheels of one of the vehicles in the governor's advance party was killed in the incident.
The governor himself was not in the convoy, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere. An unconfirmed report, last night, however, said it was actually the Governor's convoy that was attacked as his ADC was shot on the leg. His orderly, Abel, who was also shot was said to have died. The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Jacob Oshimogho, speaking on the incident said: "The target was not the governor's convoy but a bullion van coming from Benin City. The policemen attached to the van prevented them from robbing the bullion van. Unfortunately, the governor's convey ran into the road block and engaged them in a shoot out while the bullion van drove to Oghara Police Station for safety.
I have been to the scene and I can tell you that they were militants, they came in a boat and were operating on that bridge. The ADC was shot on the leg, the driver was killed and one of the militants (robbers) was killed in the shoot out." The Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ogefere, in a terse statement said: "At about 2.30 p.m, Thursday, the Delta Governor's advance security team encountered a gang of armed robbers operating along Pamol Estate, Oghara and engaged them in a shootout.
"In the ensuing shootout, a police driver was killed while two others sustained minor injuries. Those injured are being treated. His Excellency's convoy was not affected by the incident and he has proceeded to the Warri Stadium for the scheduled Austin (Jay Jay) Okocha's testimonial match.
"The Governor regrets the incident and wishes to assure the general public that everything is being done to ensure their security; he also praised the gallantry of the security team that dislodged the armed robbers."
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though it was sad an incident but this is to tell our government that when there is no safety anywhere, there is no safety everywhere.They should know that what affects one affects all and the fact that they are in government does not still guaranty their safety. Concerted effort should be made at ensuring general public security.
Olapoju Michael Olabisi
though it was sad an incident but this is to tell our government that when there is no safety anywhere, there is no safety everywhere.They should know that what affects one affects all and the fact that they are in government does not still guaranty their safety. Concerted effort should be made at ensuring general public security.
Olapoju Michael Olabisi
Uduaghan was SSG and is now the governor of the state. What concrete plans has he got for job creation for the teeming population of education hungry indegenes of Delta state to forstall the possible migration of hungry and well qualified graduates from ending up as criminals, or is he towing the Ibori line of personal enrichment? These forces are now coming home to roost. It could have been the governor, but poor policeman on a poor pay. Governors must now do a lot to restore the losses incured by the people due to the wreckless looting of public funds. These gunmen are now becoming more brazen in their attacks.