BY DAVID EMYA
There was commotion at King’s Square (Central Benin), Popularly called Ring Road, Benin City, on Friday morning when a Protester for “#EnD SARS” advocacy against alleged Police Brutality, was allegedly shot to dead by unknown hoodlums, who cashed in on the match to cause mayhem.
The deceased was amongst the Army of Youths who had taken to the streets since Thursday as parts of the National call to end the government’s notorious security outfit.
Gun shots suddenly rang out amidst the crowd of Protesters as they barricaded all routes to and from the Oba Ovonranmwen Square or Ring Road.
Although it has not been ascertained who actually fired the shots eye witness account says Hoodlums who have made Ring Road their habitation also known in local parlance as ” Laymen” had in the morning expressed resentment at the Protest as they saw the exercise as capable of disrupting their normal “hustle ” or collection of illegal revenue from Commercial Drivers and Traders.
Another account however attributed the attack to rivalry amongst Cult groups who control Ring Road and who also saw the exercise as opportunity to exhibit their supremacy on the Streets.
It was observed that Policemen were absent at the Protest ground outside the ones protecting the Anthony Enahoro House of Assembly Complex.
Notable Human Right Activists had mobilized to address the massive crowd but they all scampered for safety when the peaceful Protest turned into battle ground.
As at the time of this report the Police were yet to issue any Statement.
Details later.
