Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city
Two policemen have been reportedly beaten to death in Ikpeshi, a community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The officers were said to have incurred the wrath of the youths, when their convoy hit a motorcycle, which resulted to the death of the rider and another occupant of the bike.
According to an eye witness, the policemen were in a Hilux van as escort to a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Agbaje, when their convoy ran into the motor bike.
As a result of this, irate youths in the area were said to have invaded the Edo State Security Volunteer Network (vigilante) office where the policemen were taken into custody, overran the facility and beat two of them to death while members of the vigilante group were able to rescue the other two who were said to be receiving treatment in the hospital and also recovered the rifles of the police officers.
The angry youths were said to have attacked the vigilante office and destroyed its furniture while threatening to deal with their members who tried to rescue the police officers.
A police source disclosed that the affected officers were from the Police Mobile Force 19, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said: “One Toyota Hilux van conveying four policemen namely Inspector Brownson Brown, Inspector Abubakar Fakkuk, Sergeant Taiye Ojiefo, and Sergeant Elisha John attached to Police Mobile Force 19 Port Harcourt on escort duty with Hon Emmanuel Agbaje former Edo State House Assembly member was involved in an accident with a motorcycle conveying a woman and a child in Ikpeshi community, in the process, the rider and passenger died on the spot and in reaction, angry mob attacked the policemen, beat Inspector Abubaka Fakku and SGT Elisha John to death while two others are receiving treatment at Ifejola hospital, Igarra.”
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident yesterday but said more details would be made available to the public in due time.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Akoko-Edo LGA, Tajudeen Alade, condemned the dastardly act by the youths and commended the efforts of the vigilante for saving the lives of the two other policemen.
He said those involved would be brought to book and promised support for the twin sister of one of the occupants of the motorcycle.
