Caption: Edo State Chairman, PDP, Dan Orbih,

Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Three Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly have alleged they were attacked Sunday by unknown gunmen who fired at them with intent to kill.

Those allegedly attacked are the suspended Deputy Speaker, Festus Ibea, the Minority Leader, Emmanuel Okoduwa, and Patrick Iluobe.

Briefing newsmen in Benin, the legislators said they were returning from Ebele, Igueben local government area of the state, where they had attended the investiture of the chairman, board of trustees of the PDP, Anthony Anenih, by the Anglican Church during its 16th Synod.‎

According to the account, the three lawmakers were inside an SUV and were heading to Benin in a convoy consisting of some other vehicles when the assailants ambushed them at Abudu, headquarters of Orhiomwon local government area and opened fire on them.

They added that one of the gunmen was, however killed in an exchange of fire that followed between the assailants and the security operatives attached to the Deputy Speaker, while one of the drivers of the vehicles in their convoy was shot and is now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.

Commenting on the incident, Edo State chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih, said the lawmakers were just ahead of him when the incident happened, adding that it was obvious that the lawmakers were the target of the attack.

He confirmed that the incident has been reported at the Abudu police station and urged the Force to investigate the matter and bring those behind the attack to book.

“The event they (the three lawmakers) attended was well publicised and it is obvious that the attack was aimed at them. We call on the police to investigate and find out the people behind the attack,” he urged.