By Patrick Ahanor
Benin City
There was pandemonium at the Oba Ovoranmen Square in Benin City, Edo state, venue of a mobile court sitting after five soldiers stormed the arena with the aim forcefully securing the release of a retired army general’s wife.
The General’s wife was said to be arrested and facing trial before the court.
Blueprint learnt that the soldiers, numbering five, however, met a stiff resistance from policemen attached to the court.
They (soldiers) were said to have later overpowered the policemen after an exchange of gunfire.
Dozens of arrested suspects reportedly escaped trial during the course of the fisticuff.
An eyewitness said the Presiding Magistrate, Ihenyen Aigbediofe, was whisked away to safety.
Two of the soldiers were later said to have been arrested by a combined team of security personnel.
The Acting Managing Director of Edo state Waste Management Board, Prince Aiyamenkhue Akonofua, said several persons were injured during the soldiers’ rampage.
He disclosed that two out of the five soldiers were arrested, adding that the state Police Commissioner, Haliru Gwandu, had assured them that the law would take its course.
Confirming the development, the state’s police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, said the state Criminal Investigation Department had taken over the investigation.
He said: “It is true. The soldiers went to the mobile court to free some suspects. Our policemen resisted them.”
