A former Edo State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, slumped and died on Monday after an encounter with policemen at a roadblock in Upper Sokponba area of Benin City.

His wife, who was with him in the vehicle, recounted the events leading to his tragic death.

According to Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Eboigbodin’s wife stated that the police stopped their vehicle and demanded to see the papers, which were all up-to-date.

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However, the police raised concerns about a discrepancy between the engraved number on the car’s glass and the plate number, an issue Eboigbodin explained to them.

Despite his compliance, the police seized his documents, ordered his arrest, and instructed another officer to enter his vehicle.

They even called for a towing service to take his car to the station. The aggressive demeanor of the police created an environment of tension, ultimately leading to Eboigbodin’s death.

In a shocking turn of events, the officers fled the scene, leaving Eboigbodin’s wife and bystanders to rush him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, disputed the account, claiming it contradicts the deceased’s wife’s statement to the police.

The incident has sparked outrage, with civil society groups issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the police to identify and prosecute the officers involved. Comrade Omobude Agho, Coordinator General of the Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), expressed surprise at the actions of the police officers, describing Eboigbodin as a well-known and respected leader in the state