Police order immediate investigation into death of Ex-NLC chairman in Edo
The Edo State Police Command has ordered an immediate investigation into the death of Mr Kaduna Eboigbodin, the former, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, chairman in the state over a scuffle with some officers of the command.
The Commissioner of Police in the Command, Umoru Ozigi gave the order in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.
The statement signed by the Command’s image maker, SP Moses Yamu on behalf of the commissioner said the command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice prevails in every situation.
The statement dated December 4, 2024, is titled, “RE: Demanding justice for Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin following his avoidable and untimely death due to unprofessional conduct by the Nigeria Police Force”.
According to him, the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police has received with great concern, news of the death of Kaduna Eboigbodin former Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in Edo State, allegedly due to Police “unprofessional conduct”.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru P. Ozigi, wishes to use this medium to commiserate with the widow, family, friends and associates of the deceased over the loss and pray for the repose of his soul.
“He further noted the cordial working relationship existing between the Police, Civil Society Organizations, NLC and all critical stakeholders in the State and has therefore, directed the immediate investigation into the incident.
“The Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice prevails in every situation,” he said.
members of the coalition of civil societies in the state had on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at a joint press conference in Benin city demanded for justice for the late Pioneer Coordinator of the Edo Civil Society Organisation (EDOSCO).
They called on the Edo State Government, Commissioner of Police, and all relevant authorities to conduct a full investigation to identify and hold accountable the police officers involved in the incident.
They urged all stakeholders to work together to uphold the rights and dignity of every citizen.
The CSOs also called for measures to ensure that such unprofessional conduct is addressed and prevented in the future.
The spokesperson of the group, Omobude Agho, alleged that the death resulted from the unprofessional conduct of certain members of the Nigeria Police Force at a roadblock on the Upper Sokponba axis.
Agho said initial investigations revealed that the Policemen stopped the deceased and demanded his vehicle papers, which he gladly produced.
“A team of police at the checkpoint somewhere around upper Sokponba stopped him and his wife and insisted he follow them to the station after checking his papers.
“They seized his papers and one of them entered his vehicle. He introduced himself yet to no avail.
“Upon the altercations, he got a heart attack, and the policemen ran and left him. It was good samaritans that rushed him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead before arrival,” he said.
He added that when the officers saw the documents and found them up to date, they, however, raised concerns about a discrepancy between the engraved number on the car’s glass and the plate number, which he also explained to them.
He said despite his compliance and explanations, the police seized his documents, ordered his arrest, and instructed another officer to enter his vehicle.
Agho further explained that instead of assisting him in the emergency, 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.
The firsthand information from his wife said his untimely death was caused by the Nigeria police force on Monday morning.
The late Kaduna Eboigbodin was a founding member of the Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria, NOCSON and the former, Head of Uhunmwonde Local Government Administration, HOLGA.
