BENIN CITY- Allegation of extra-judicial killing has again hit Edo Police Command as a middle-aged man accused of stealing N42,000 died in police custody in Benin City, weekend.
It will be recalled that similar case of extra-judicial killing was slammed against the command when a policeman killed Ibrahim Momodu on Monday, May 27,2013 in Ogida, Benin City.
The latest victim identified simply as Chibuike was last Friday arrested by men of Benin Area Command after Management of Protea Hotel, Benin accused him of stealing N42,000 belonging to a customer.
The suspect allegedly died on Saturday under questionable circumstances before his family members who had earlier gone to the station to secure his bail could return that evening.
His mother, Christiana Edeh who led a protest to the premises of the hotel demanding explanation on her son’s death told reporters that her son’s body was recovered along Sapele Road by a good Samaritan.
She stated further that the good Samaritan took her son to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where he was confirmed dead.
Christiana added that she saw her son hale and healthy at the Police Area Command where he was detained and the police asked the family to pay the N42,000 he allegedly stole.
She disclosed that when the family took the money to the police at about 12 noon, they were told to return at 3 pm because all the policemen were on duty at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Providing security for Dame Patience Jonathan’s visit.
“I last saw my son at the police station. There was no injury on his body, we were told the IPO was not around. My children went back and was informed that my son was not there at the police station.
“They said he was taken to Protea Hotel. I earlier saw my son’s name on the police notice board but his name was not there around 3 pm.
“We were called at 10pm that his body was at the hospital. He told me he did not collect any money. The hotel management has not told us anything now”. The bereaved mother explained.
Staff of the hotel who pleaded anonymity stated that the management reported an incident of missing item to the police and that they are yet to get feedback contacted, the spokesman, Edo Police Command DSP Joseph Edoigiawerie said the deceased confessed to stealing the money and when police took him to where he hid the money he attempted to run and was knocked down by a Toyota Camry.
“The Toyota Camry Car and the driver of the car are right at the Central MTD”. DSP Edoigiawerie stated.
Samuel Adegbuyi, Edo State Police Commissioner
