UPROAR IN BENIN AS POLICE KILL ONE
From Elvis Omoregie, Benin City.
Tragedy today struck in Benin City, Edo State capital after a policeman from the Esigie Divisional Police station reportedly caused the death of a cab driver along Murtala Mohammed Way by Igun junction.
Trouble reportedly started when the victim could not present an up-to-date papers of his vehicle to a team of policemen on a routine stop-and-search.
An argument was said to have ensued between a policeman and the driver after the security operatives rejected of #150.00 bribe handed to them by the deceased.
A policeman was said to have in the argument pushed the deceased into an oncoming truck which crushed him to death.
The development later turned violent as angry youths threw stones at the policemen to protest their displeasure over the incident.
The protest caused heavy gridlock along M. M. Way and other adjourning roads; such as Akpakpava, New Lagos road, Dawson and 2nd East Circular.
Two police operation vehicles were set ablaze by the rampaging youths.
A policeman was beaten and left for death in the ensuing fracas; while an unidentified man was also reportedly killed by police bullet around Dawson.
The security operatives had fought back by firing tear gas canisters and gunshots into the air.
A team of Police reinforcement and the Nigerian Army were deployed to the area to restore normalcy.
The State Commissioner of police, Johnson Kokumo confirmed the development to journalists at the Benin Central Hospital Morgue where the victims remains was deposited.
Kokumo said he has ordered the arrest of policemen involved in the deaths, adding, that the command would commence full scale investigation of the matter.
According to him, any policeman found culpable would be dismissed from the force and prosecuted.