By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Weeks after a team of trigger-happy operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command shot to death a professional tailor in Benin City, his bereaved mother has cried out for justice as the killing was unprovoked and unexpected of federal government trained security personnel.
It was gathered that the victim, Etinosa Obakpolor, 26, with three others were returning from a birthday party when the trigger-happy NSCDC team allegedly opened fire on the Toyota Camry car they were in at about 11p.m on Sunday July 7, 2019.
On hearing excruciating screams from the occupants of the car, the NSCDC team in “Operation Wabaizigan” patrol vehicle, allegedly fled the area.
Inside source revealed that one SCI. Asimegbe George, ASCI. David Ovuede, ASCI. Eki Vassilis and CAL. Agabi Charles made the embattled NSCDC squad.
Trouble started when they were said to had, with torchlight flagged down the driver of the Toyato Camry, marked EDO-FUG 900 GD at M,M way junction on Sapele road, but he mistook them for robbers and allegedly refused to stop.
According to Information reaching Alltimepost.com, the NSCDC team trailed the Toyota Camry to the deceased’s street, Igbinadolor Street, off M.M Way, Benin City and rained bullets on the car.
It was further learnt that two other occupants of the vehicle who were also hit by bullets were rushed to hospital by sympathizing neighbors, attracted by the gunshots and screams.
The deceased, Etinosa Obakpolor who battled with the bullets wounds and surgeries for 20 days at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), finally died on Saturday, July 27, 2019.
It was further alleged that some operatives of NSCDC visited the victim at the hospital the day the first surgery was conducted on him as they did not show up again, even after his death.
Our reporter exclusively gathered that detectives at the Edo State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Benin City had, few days after the shooting arrested and detained those NSCDC agents involved.
They were however said to had been granted administrative bail.
Contacted, the Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Security and
ivil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command Mr. Efosa Ogbebor expressed shock and promised to get back to our reporter.
“All the Wabaizigan in our office have not reported any case of murder.
“If find out, I will call the head of Wabaizigan, such news has not gotten to my office, I think I know one of the names you just mentioned. I will call you back”. The NSCDC spokesman stated. He had yet to fulfill his promise at press time.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Chidi Nwabuzor could not be reached for comments.
The deceased’s mother, Mrs. Magdalena Osahenhen, 49 said the death of her son had brought hardship on her and four other remaining children.
She appealed to Edo State Government, police and well-meaning agencies to ensure her son’s killers are brought to justice as he was the breadwinner of her family.
She made the appeal at her residence in Aigbona Street, Off Sawmill Road, Idokpa, near Benin City.
The deceased’s store’s landlady along M.M way, and his co-tenants at 20b, Igbinadolor Street, Off M.M way described him as kindhearted entrepreneur with many apprentices.
