Apostle Suleman escapes fatal attack, six policemen, aides die

No fewer than three policemen were killed, as well as two drivers and domestic help in the attack that occurred on Friday evening.

However, while sources said the gunmen ambushed Suleman’s motorcade on Warake Road in Auchi, Edo State, the police said he was attached at home.

Sources told theeditorial.ng that Suleman just returned from a trip to Tanzania and was heading to a destination in his  bulletproof vehicle in Edo State when the gunmen attacked his convoy.

It was gathered that Suleman’s daughter was in his vehicles.

The Edo State Police Command confirmed the death of three policemen and three civilians.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said that the attack took place around 5pm.

He said the Apostle was attacked at home.

He added, “The attack on Johnson Suleman is true. He was attacked by hoodlums around 5pm. He was attacked at home.

“As we speak, two of his drivers were murdered, three policemen murdered, one female househelp murdered, one missing.

“Upon alarm raised, police moved to the scene, gunned down one of hoodlums and recovered one of the vehicles used.

“Currently, Apostle Suleiman is safe and sound.”

Legal adviser to the Ministry, Sam Amune, described the incident as an assassination attempt on the clergyman.

He said, “I think it is a case of assassination attempt because the assailants who were in an Avalon and Sienna vehicles stopped other vehicles to reach Apostle Suleman’s convoy and they did not take anybody, the people just stopped and watched the drama unfolded.

 “He just finished a programme in Tanzania the day before yesterday and flew to Lagos and then to Benin where his family joined him. His children normally drive in a separate vehicle but this time they drove with their father while other domestic staff drove in their vehicle. He escaped death but the others were not lucky, three orderlies who normally drive directly behind him and then the next vehicle were not lucky.

  “It is very unfortunate to lost those lives” Amune said.