EDO: Riots break-out after policeman pushes driver to death over N100 bribe

A violent clash between some youths and mobile policemen broke-out in the Upper Igun area of Edo State after a policeman reportedly pushed a man to his early death over a N100 bribe.

Reports say the unidentified commercial cab driver was with his wife and two children in the car when he was stopped by the policemen who demanded N100 from him which he refused to pay.

His refusal according to reports enraged the policemen and an altercation ensued thereafter between both parties with sources saying the officers later shoved the driver, who fell and his head was crushed by an oncoming petrol tanker.

The incident reportedly sparked a clash between the mobile policemen and irate youths in the area who unleashed terror on the police operatives who later abandoned their operational vehicle and fled the area.

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Reports say one of the policemen was however not lucky as he was hunted down by the irate mob which descended mercilessly on him while four Toyota hilux vans belonging to the Police were set ablaze even as the vehicle of the victim, a black BMW with number plates AFZ 846 HW, and the petrol tanker marked FKJ 567 XB, were all still parked at the scene of the incident.

Reacting to the incident, Mr. Babatunde Kokumo, Edo State Police Commissioner said: “At about 8a.m. this morning, there was a fatal motor accident and it was alleged that a Police patrol team caused the accident. We are going to investigate.

“But the restive youths took to the streets to protest the killing of the driver by an articulated vehicle that was coming from behind. It was the fatal motor accident that led to the protest by the restive youths.

“We are doing our best to ensure that we restore normalcy. I have equally ordered the arrest of the policemen alleged to be involved; a full-scale investigation will be carried out.

“If the policemen are found culpable in any manner, appropriate punishment will be meted out to them. Currently, we are trying to do all within our capacity for the family of the deceased,” he added.

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