The office of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, located on Osadebe Avenue in Benin, has been sealed off by a heavy police presence, raising eyebrows amid ongoing political tensions in the state.
On Sunday, stern-looking policemen were observed at the site, with a machine gun-mounted police truck and three officers stationed at the entrance.
This office was previously relocated from the Government House during a notable standoff between Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
As of Sunday, the entry gate to the office remained closed, and it appears that access has been completely restricted.
Reports indicate that staff members of the deputy governor’s office were instructed on Friday to report to the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Agency instead.
Additionally, official vehicles from the deputy governor’s office, including the Press Crew bus, have been moved to the office of the Head of Service located within the Government House.
A staff of the Deputy Governor’s office on Sunday told Punch, “You know we are civil servants. On Thursday, we were told to resume in JOOPSA and that was where we also resumed on Friday and we would also do that tomorrow (Monday).”