A mild drama unfolded on Thursday afternoon at the car park of the Holy Cross Cathedral, Benin City, during the lying-in-state ceremony of the late Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Benin, His Grace Most Rev'd Dr. Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, who recently passed away.
The event took an unexpected turn when a thug approached the official car of Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, and forcefully pulled off the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag attached to the vehicle.
Eyewitnesses report that the thug, whose identity remains unknown was wearing a red face cap with the inscription Aio2, acted swiftly, causing brief tension among onlookers. A security detail assigned to the deputy governor immediately moved to apprehend the perpetrator, but in a surprising move, Shaibu intervened, instructing his security personnel to stand down, effectively de-escalating the situation.
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The incident caused a stir, but the deputy governor’s swift intervention prevented further disruption to the solemn proceedings.
Despite the brief disturbance, the lying-in-state ceremony continued without further incident, as mourners paid their last respects to the revered Archbishop Ekpu.