Slain Edo driver’s family knocks police for releasing suspects

A mother of five, Edith Ayemhenre, on Thursday, called on the Nigeria Police to bring the killers of her husband, Emmanuel, 47, to book.

The widow protested the killing of her husband alongside his family members at the Edo State House of Assembly, Ring Road, Benin, the state capital.

The deceased’s younger sister, Margaret Fredric, who spoke for the family, said her brother who before his untimely death, was a cab driver, was shot dead by a trigger-happy vigilante on February 15, 2023, at 2nd Junction in the Oredo Local Government Area of the state.

Fredric said her brother died before he could be rushed to the hospital, noting that his killers, who were earlier arrested, have been freed.

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She said, “My late brother, Emmanuel Ayemhenre, was murdered on February 15 by a group of three vigilante members at 2nd Junction where he was doing his cab work. Before they could rush him to the hospital, he was already dead.

“The killers were arrested and remanded at the Esigie Police Station before they were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. But before we knew it, they were freed one after the other.

“We were told by the police that the Director of Public Prosecution, on March 30, advised that the suspect had no case to answer. But we discovered that the suspects were released even before the DPP’s advice.

“As a family, we want the case revisited and the culprits brought to book. Our brother’s body is still in the mortuary with bills mounting daily. The deceased had five children and a wife.”

The family called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); and the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to come to their aid so that they can get justice for the deceased.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he would investigate and revert.

Nwabuzor has yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.