How Trigger Happy Policemen killed Civil Society Leader In Benin

MEMBERS of the Civil Society Community in Edo State are seeking for justice for what they described as the “tragic and avoidable death” of a foremost leader of the community, an ex Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, which they alleged “resulted from the unprofessional conduct of certain members of the Nigeria Police Force at a roadblock on the Upper Sokponba axis.”

According to the aggrieved civil society members: “Initial investigations and firsthand accounts from his wife reveal a troubling sequence of events. The police stopped Comrade Eboigbodin and demanded to see his vehicle papers, which were all up to date. They then raised concerns about a discrepancy between the engraved number on the car’s glass and the plate number, an issue he explained to them.

“Despite his compliance, the police seized his documents, ordered his arrest, and instructed another officer to enter his vehicle. They even called for a towing service to take his car to the station. The aggressive demeanor of the police created an environment of tension, which ultimately led to Comrade Eboigbodin’s death. Instead of providing assistance, the officers present fled the scene, leaving only his wife and bystanders to rush him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin was a dedicated leader, serving as the former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, the former National Vice Chairman of NULGE, the Pioneer Coordinator of the Edo Civil Society Organisation (EDOSCO), and a founding member of the Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (NOCSON), among other roles.”

Going further, they called on the state government, Commissioner of Police and all relevant authorities to “conduct a full investigation to identify and hold accountable the police officers involved in this incident and implement measures to ensure that such unprofessional conduct is addressed and prevented in the future.”

Attempts to get the Police side of the story met with a brick wall as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state Police Command, SP Joel Moses Yamu, declined picking Popular News phone calls nor did he respond to a text message sent to him.