Posted by By Osaro Okhhomina on
VIOLENT Protest, weekend, erupted in the Edo State capital as scores of women and youths disrupted commercial activities for hours in protest against the killing of a woman in a motor accident allegedly caused by a Police Patrol Team on the trail of a commercial bus driver who had refused to pay a N20 bribe demanded at a police check point.
BENIN CITY-VIOLENT Protest, weekend, erupted in the Edo State capital as scores of women and youths disrupted commercial activities for hours in protest against the killing of a woman in a motor accident allegedly caused by a Police Patrol Team on the trail of a commercial bus driver who had refused to pay a N20 bribe demanded at a police check point.
The aggrieved women and youths, who barricaded the major road along the Murtala Muhammed Way near the Immaculate Conception College Area of the state capital, made burn fires and demanded that the five Policemen patrol team involved in the incident from the Esigie Police Division be produced before peace could reign.
Vanguard gathered that the motor accident, which resulted in the death of the woman identified as Mrs. Victoria Egewigie, was caused by the loss of control of the bus by the driver in the attempt at escaping the patrol team. It was gathered that around 11am on Saturday, a commercial driver was ordered to stop at the checkpoint along the Murtala Mohammed way and asked to produce N20 but he refused.
One of the Policemen was alleged to have ordered the driver to park at the road side and asked to come down, but instead of obeying the order, the commercial bus driver drove off with the Police team hot on his trail. An eyewitness told Vanguard that the driver however lost control of the vehicle at a sharp bend while trying to avoid colliding with a truck and the vehicle somersaulted.
A woman died instantly, while three others were immediately rushed to the hospital by sympathizers. Vanguard gathered that the police team on sighting the accident reversed the 504 saloon car and took to their heels. One of the protesters, who spoke with Vanguard said the action of the police is criminal and must be probed, "these women involved are market women and their rights must be ensured.The road block in the area is constant and we must stop it now before they kill another person.
Vanguard's attempt to get the position of the Divisional Police Officerof Esigie Police station failed as he was reported to be on an undisclosed assignment, but an officer who spoke with Vanguard said the division has not received such complaint. While the Police Command spokesman could not be reached for comment.