IGP Refutes Claims of Bias, Vows Continued Investigation into Inspector Onu’s Death
2 min read
By Joy Richardson
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has rejected allegations of police bias made by Tony Aziegbemi, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. The IGP described these allegations as an attempt to obstruct the ongoing investigation into the death of Inspector Akor Onu, who was killed on July 18, 2024, at Benin Airport.
Egbetokun asserted that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Inspector Onu’s death would proceed, regardless of the accusations of bias. “If you believe the IG is biased for pursuing the investigation into the killing of a police officer, you will have to live with that opinion forever,” Egbetokun stated.
Inspector Onu, a member of the security detail for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming September 21 election, was shot during a confrontation at Benin Airport. The incident occurred when Comrade Philip Shaibu, the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State who had been reinstated by an Abuja Federal High Court, arrived at the airport accompanied by Okpebholo. As their motorcade exited the airport, it came under attack, and in the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Inspector Onu was fatally shot.
The violence during the election campaign, combined with the arrest of multiple PDP members, led Aziegbemi to accuse the police under IGP Egbetokun of bias against the PDP. At a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin, Aziegbemi stated, “Before July 27, Edo State was peaceful. All political parties conducted their primaries without incident, and there was optimism about a successful governorship election. However, since the airport incident, the situation has deteriorated, and the police have shown bias.”
Egbetokun dismissed these claims as attempts to derail the investigation, insisting that the probe into Inspector Onu’s death would continue unabated.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has also accused the police of bias against the PDP. During a meeting with the Chairman of the National Peace Accord Committee (NPAC), General Abdusalami Abubakar (Rtd), Obaseki suggested that the PDP might not sign the Peace Accord scheduled for Thursday due to these concerns.
