Posted by VINCENT ADEKOYE, Benin on
YOUTHS in Uromi town in Esan North East Council in Edo State, Wednesday burnt down the police station in the area, carting away arms and freeing detainees over the alleged killing of a student by policemen at a checkpoint.
YOUTHS in Uromi town in Esan North East Council in Edo State, Wednesday burnt down the police station in the area, carting away arms and freeing detainees over the alleged killing of a student by policemen at a checkpoint.
Also torched by the protesting youths was the residence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the station and two vehicles.
When Daily Champion visited the town yesterday, streets were deserted while the policemen who escaped the wrath were seen relocating members of their families to neighbouring towns and villages.
Eyewitness told Daily Champion, that about 1.30 p.m. Wednesday, the policemen, who mounted a checkpoint within the town, had stopped a commercial vehicle marked AG 41 KGP and allegedly demanded N40 bribe.
The driver was said to have pleaded that he would give them N20 because he had just started work.
"After much pleadings, he threw N20 at them and moved the vehicle. As he was going, one of the policemen opened fire on the vehicle and the bullet hit one of the passengers who happened to be a student and he died immediately," an eyewitness who resides around the place narrated.
Report said as soon as the news filtered to the town, other students mobilised and invaded the police station where all the cops on duty fled.
The protesting youths also paralysed commercial activities in the town as stores and other public places were looted.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police Command, Mr. Fatai Kinyomi, confirmed the incident, saying the acting Police Commissioner, Mr. Philimon Leha, has deployed some anti-riot policemen to the town to restore law and order.
"What happened at Uromi was sad. The command has deployed men to restore peace to the area and investigation would commence immediately to determine the root cause of the incident," the PPRO said.
Mr. Kinyomi appealed to the protesting youths to allow peace to reign, adding that those cops behind the alleged shooting would be brought to book after investigation.
Commercial banks and filling stations were yet to re-open for customers as at Press time for fear of being attacked by the irate youths who were still flexing muscles.