Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, has tragically passed away after a confrontation with police officers at a roadblock in Benin City.
Eboigbodin, who had been a prominent labor leader and civil rights advocate, reportedly collapsed following the encounter and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital.
The incident occurred on Monday in the Upper Sokponba area of Benin City when Eboigbodin, accompanied by his wife, was stopped by police officers who allegedly questioned discrepancies between the car’s glass engraving and its plate number.
His wife, who was present at the scene, confirmed that the vehicle’s documents were valid but that the officers proceeded to seize them.
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She claimed that despite their explanation, the police demanded his arrest and called for the vehicle to be impounded.
According to Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Eboigbodin’s wife reported that the situation quickly escalated.
The police allegedly seized his documents, prompting Eboigbodin to collapse in distress. Witnesses said that the officers fled the scene without offering assistance to the collapsed man, leaving his wife and bystanders to rush him to the hospital.
Edo State police have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Police spokesperson SP Moses Yamu stated that the civil rights groups’ account of the events does not align with the version provided by Eboigbodin’s wife.
Yamu insisted that the officers were only carrying out their duties when the incident occurred.
This tragic event has sparked outrage across the state and the country. Civil society organizations, including ANEEJ and the Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOSCO), have demanded justice, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the police to identify and hold the officers responsible for the confrontation.
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Rev. Ugolor mourned the loss of Eboigbodin, describing him as a “dedicated and respected leader” who had been instrumental in several civil society movements.
Comrade Omobude Agho, Coordinator-General of EDOSCO, expressed shock at the incident, stressing that Eboigbodin was a well-respected figure in the state.
