On Thursday, the Edo State Police Command announced the arrest of four officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with the death of a Bolt driver, Henry Osemwenkhia. Osemwenkhia reportedly suffered severe injuries after an altercation with the officers, which led to his death on February 4.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Public Relations Officer for the police command, DSP Moses Yamu, provided details about the incident, explaining that Osemwenkhia had reported an assault by NSCDC personnel after dropping off a passenger. He was advised to seek medical attention following his report. Unfortunately, the police were informed of Osemwenkhia’s death the next day.
Yamu said, “The command is aware of the death of the Bolt driver allegedly caused by the NSCDC officers. One Henry Osemwenkhia, who is now deceased, reported on February 4 at the New Etete Police Station that he took some passengers to the De Kaso Hotel along Limit Road in Benin and in the process, he had an altercation with a young man.
“He said some of the young man’s friends and some civil defence officers beat him and that, according to him, at a point, they even punctured his tyres.
“So, on reporting that matter, they quickly gave him a medical form where he should go for treatment but unfortunately, on February 5, we received a call that he died in his house while awaiting the results of his scan.
“So, as I am speaking with you, his corpse has been deposited at the hospital.
“We have four of the civil defence officers in our custody and the Commissioner of Police has directed an immediate investigation into the matter to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of the driver,” Yamu said.
In response to the allegations, Efosa Ogbebor, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer for Edo State, claimed that the officers were not involved in a fight but were present at the hotel to maintain security and to help separate an existing altercation. He further stated that the NSCDC personnel were not arrested but rather reported to the police station voluntarily.
In a show of solidarity, Bolt drivers in Edo State organised a peaceful protest on Thursday, demanding justice for their deceased colleague.
They displayed placards that read thus: “Enough of the brutality by security agencies; Enough is enough; Bolt drivers are not slaves; Justice for Bolt drivers; and ‘We need justice for the death of Bolt driver, Henry.”
The protesters gathered at the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Edo, with spokesperson Festus Nwanbuzo expressing their concerns about Osemwenkhia’s death. He described him as an affable individual who would never cause harm to others.
