Uproar in Ekpoma: Police Van Runs Over Handcuffed Suspect
An uproar ensued in Ekpoma, the university town located in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, when a demobilized suspect was run over by a police van. The shocking incident occurred on Thursday evening and quickly drew attention from the community.
The suspect, who had already been arrested and handcuffed, was forcefully dragged by a team of police. Despite the gathered crowd’s alarm, the police driver, using an official black Sienna bus provided by the Edo State Government, opened the van door and fled after dragging the immobilized suspect for several meters.
A video capturing the incident, which lasted for 27 minutes, went viral on Friday morning. The footage revealed the handcuffed man lying on the ground in front of the police vehicle while onlookers gathered around. Ignoring the shouts from the crowd, the driver callously crushed and dragged the man for over 100 meters.
The incident triggered an uproar among the outraged crowd, which was later dispersed by gunshots fired by the police men. The Edo State Police Command’s spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, released a press statement in response to the incident, confirming the arrest of the involved police men. He also emphasized that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dankwara, had called for calm.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), preliminary findings indicated that the incident occurred when ASP Magdalene Osayande and her team of six police men were conducting routine stop and search duties along Ihumudumu Road, Ekpoma, Edo State. They intercepted an unregistered Lexus car and requested the vehicle’s particulars. However, the driver of the Lexus car became aggressive, refusing to comply and instead attacking the officers, causing injuries and damaging the police vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Success Ehimare, was subsequently arrested, handcuffed, and taken to Irrua Specialist Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, he was reported to be in good health.
CP Mohammed Adamu Dankwara condemned the actions of the policeman seen in the viral video, describing them as barbaric, inhumane, and unprofessional. He instructed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpoma to identify, arrest, and bring the officers to the State Police Headquarters in Benin for briefing and debriefing. As a result, the officers have been apprehended and are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department.
The incident in Ekpoma serves as a stark reminder of the importance of police accountability and the need to address the excessive use of force. Investigations are ongoing, and the public is urged to remain vigilant as justice is pursued in this case.