The family of a commercial driver identified as David Okiniba, who was allegedly pushed to his death on Tuesday by a policeman has demanded to know the identity of the culprits. David’s death caused riot in parts of Benin City as five vehicles including four Hilux vans belonging to the Edo State Police Command were razed. He was killed in the presence of his pregnant fiancée, Ruth.
Speaking to newsmen at the family residence at Urora in Ikpoba-Okha local government, elder brother to late David, Festus said he was shocked when he was called that his brother had died. Festus said he was informed that his brother was pushed into a moving truck by the police because the police demanded for N200 whereas his brother had only N100 on him.
He said his brother was going to church when he encountered the policemen on the way that eventually killed him. His words, “They were going to church early in the morning when policemen stopped them at Igun junction on Third East Circular road and demanded for his vehicle papers; he told them that his papers were with the police because he rescued a girl that was hit by a car last week. “The girl died on the way to Central hospital and they were referred to a police station to make his report and police collected his papers.
“But the policemen said they don’t care and that they will take him to the station. He fell inside his seat inside his car; suddenly the policeman met him and said do you not know what to do so you can go? He brought out N100 and begged the policeman so he can go but the policeman said he would not collect.
So, he went back again and brought N1, 000 and said sir you take N500 and give me N500 this is the money they have; they are going to church. As he was begging the policeman, the policeman asked him to dress (shift away) and that was how the policeman pushed him and the truck smashed his head.” He said the state Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, visited the family and promised to carry out thorough investigation. According to The Nation, when the deceased fiancée was brought out to speak to journalists, she could not talk and only muttered, “Where is David?” Another family member, Mrs. Rose Aremu, urged the police to show the public the identities of the policemen who were at that checkpoint where David died.
