Edo Guber: Two arrested in foiled assassination attempt on Mercy Johnson’s husband

Security personnel have reportedly foiled an assassination attempt on Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, the husband of actress Mercy Johnson and a federal lawmaker representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East constituency in Edo State.

Okojie was allegedly attacked by armed men believed to be political thugs at his Uromi residence on Friday morning. The assailants arrived in a Lexus GX 470 with a Rivers State registration number.

In a statement released on Friday, Okojie’s media aide, Michael Ihaza, explained that the attackers, posing as police officers, claimed they had an appointment with the lawmaker. However, the planned assassination was averted due to the quick response of Okojie’s security detail. Two suspects were apprehended, while others managed to escape.

“We wish to officially document the assassination attempt on Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, the federal representative for Esan North-East/Esan South-East and the Edo Central Coordinator of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, which occurred at his Uromi residence in the early hours of September 20, 2024,” the statement reads.

The attackers, disguised as police officers, forced their way into the lawmaker’s living room before being confronted by security personnel. Two suspects fled, leaving behind the driver and one accomplice, who are currently being questioned by the Nigeria Police Force’s Area Command in Uromi.

This incident comes just a day before the Edo gubernatorial election, set for September 21, with three major candidates vying for the governorship: Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

and a federal lawmaker representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East constituency in Edo State.

Okojie was allegedly attacked by armed men believed to be political thugs at his Uromi residence on Friday morning. The assailants arrived in a Lexus GX 470 with a Rivers State registration number.

In a statement released on Friday, Okojie’s media aide, Michael Ihaza, explained that the attackers, posing as police officers, claimed they had an appointment with the lawmaker. However, the planned assassination was averted due to the quick response of Okojie’s security detail. Two suspects were apprehended, while others managed to escape.

“We wish to officially document the assassination attempt on Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, the federal representative for Esan North-East/Esan South-East and the Edo Central Coordinator of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, which occurred at his Uromi residence in the early hours of September 20, 2024,” the statement reads.

The attackers, disguised as police officers, forced their way into the lawmaker’s living room before being confronted by security personnel. Two suspects fled, leaving behind the driver and one accomplice, who are currently being questioned by the Nigeria Police Force’s Area Command in Uromi.

This incident comes just a day before the Edo gubernatorial election, set for September 21, with three major candidates vying for the governorship: Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).