From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State Police Command yesterday said its operatives had arrested four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to a popular hotel in Benin City for allegedly beating and inflicting an injury on a Bolt driver, Mr Henry Osarodion Osemwenkhia, which eventually led to his death a day later.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Moses Yamu, disclosed this while speaking on the circumstances that led to the death of the Bolt driver in Benin City.
He said that on 4th February 2025, Mr Osemwenkhia reported a case of assault against NSCDC officers after dropping off his passenger.
SP Yamu stated that based on Osemwenkhia’s complaint, he was advised to undergo medical check-ups. However, he was later reported dead the following day.
> “The command is aware of the incident allegedly caused by the NSCDC officers. One Henry Osarodion Osemwenkhia, who is now deceased, reported on 4th February at the New Etete Police Station that he had taken some passengers to De Kaso Hotel along Limit Road, Benin, and in the process, he had an altercation with a young man and some of his friends, along with some Civil Defence officers. According to him, at one point, they even punctured his tyres.
> “So, upon reporting the matter, he was immediately issued a medical form for treatment. Unfortunately, on the 5th, which was yesterday, we received a distress call that he had died in his house while awaiting the results of his medical scan.
> “As I am speaking with you, his corpse has been deposited at the hospital.
> “We have four Civil Defence officers in our custody, and the Commissioner of Police has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter to uncover the circumstances that led to the young man’s death,” Yamu said.
On the part of the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Efosa Ogbebor, he stated that their men had only intervened to break up a fight and were never involved in any altercation.
He explained that the officers were stationed at the hotel to provide security for the facility.
Ogbebor also denied allegations that the police had arrested his personnel, clarifying that they had only gone to the police station to report themselves.
Earlier, Bolt drivers in the state staged a peaceful protest, alleging that their colleague, Mr Henry Osarodion Osemwenkhia, was killed by NSCDC operatives attached to the hotel in Benin City.
The protesters, who gathered at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, displayed placards that read: “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.”
Speaking for the group, Festus Nwanbuzo stated that they were demanding justice for their colleague, who was allegedly killed by NSCDC officers.
He described the deceased as an easygoing man who “could never hurt a fly.”