Local security operatives in Edo state recently took the lives of two people in what is generally known as accidental discharge. PATRICK AHANOR reports.
On January 10 2021, Edo state government launched the State Security Network otherwise known as vigilante to strengthen the state’s security architecture and address the rising insecurity in the state.
The initiative was to all intent and purposes a welcome development because it came at a time residents and visitors were being robbed in broad daylight on one hand, and the unending cult- related menaces in the state. There is no doubt, matters got worse for residents at the time following the escape of about 2,000 inmates from two Correctional Centres in the state during the October, 2020 EndSARS protest.
The vigilante network, an initiative of Governor Godwin Obaseki and a community-led effort has therefore lived up to its billings by galvanising local communities in partnership with government security agencies to provide security, protect lives and property in Edo state.It is therefore on record that the security network has also co-opted key actors in local communities to secure their spaces, gather intelligence, build trust and ensure adequate security across the state.
The ugly incident
Less than six months after its inauguration, residents were however taken aback on May 20, 2021 following reports that a member of the vigilante network had shot dead two citizens at Efehi Street, Off College Road in Aduwawa, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state. The victims, a widow is a mother of seven by the name, Mrs Lucy Nwaorie and one Mr Tony Bassey had begun their day like every other day until the happy-trigger security network personnel reportedly cut their lives short without provocation.
Trouble was said to have started when two members of the local vigilante identified as Osagie Afua and Charles Oseghale stormed the neighbourhood at about 10:00 am and began to smoke cannabis Sativa otherwise known as Indian Hemp while at the same time consuming alcoholic drinks at Mrs Nwaorie’s shop.
It was gathered that amidst excitement from the consumed liquor, Afua also known as ‘Stone’ ordered his colleague, Charles Oseghale to go and fetch him his double-barrel gun because according to him, the area was ‘too quiet’.
The eldest son of Mrs Nwaorie by the name Uche who claimed to have witnessed the incident narrated to Blueprint that when Oseghale returned, Afua requested that he should also get him a packet of bullets.
Uche narrated further that although concerned residents opposed the idea of ‘warming the area’; however, Afua rebuffed them and loaded his gun with the help of Osaghele.
According to Uche, “Immediately after loading the gun, Osagie raised the gun backing my mother’s shop and laid it on his shoulder and then fired a shot that hit my mother and her customer, Mr Tony Bassey.”
According to him, “Mr Tony Bassey was carrying my three-months-old baby when the bullet hit him but God saved my baby.
“My mom shouted that she had been shot as she bled profusely. Immediately, Osagie called Nuru, a tricycle operator to whisk him away with the gun in his hand.”
Uche further stated that neighbours, nearby police operatives and passers-by rushed his mother and Tony to the hospital
He however said Tony was pronounced dead at the hospital and his corpse deposited in the morgue of the medical facility while his mother was referred to the Specialist Hospital in Benin City for further examination.
He said, “At the hospital, the doctors confirmed my mother dead. The corpse was conveyed back to Aduwawa Police Division where a case file was established.”
He said the police hierarchy afterwards assigned another operative who went with the bereaved family members to deposit her corpse at the morgue.
Uche lamented that the recklessness of the vigilantes have also made the other victim’s (Tony) wife a widow; with a two months old baby to cater for. He therefore appealed to the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, the state police commissioner and those at the temple of justice to help secure justice for the family.
Police confirms incident
The state police spokesman, Bello Kotongs, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect, (Afua) was already in their custody, saying that Afua reported himself to the operative on May 20, 2021.
A new twist
However, the aftermath of this ugly incident took a worrisome dimension on May 30 following the manhandling of the victims family members by personnel of the State Security Network.
Uche, the first son of the deceased woman had his lips broken by one of the vigilantes who hit him with the butt of his gun at the entrance gate of the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ) in Benin City.
The deceased family members were said to be on a peaceful protest and heading to the state police command to draw the attention of concerned authorities to the incident and demand for justice when they were accosted by the vigilantes.
The vigilantes were said to have stopped them from proceeding with the protest, a move that was resisted by the bereaved families.
It was gathered that some members of the protesting families were manhandled in the process while Uche was injured on the lip.
The protesters had expressed concern after the state government disowned the suspects as a member of its security network.
Widow’s lamentation
Widow of the late Tony, 30-year-old Mrs Mercy Bassey whose two months old baby was strap on her back during the protest said, “My husband woke up in the morning of May 20th and said he wanted to go and buy a recharge card. After some time, someone ran to me and said that my husband has been killed. I want the government to assist me with job because my husband was the bread winner.”
As the deceased relatives grief over the untimely death of their loved ones, it is a general concesus that the vigilantes/authorities concerned should be circumspect by ensuring that justice is done.
