NLC leader slumps, dies after encounter with Police
BENIN CITY – Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, has tragically passed away following an encounter with police officers at a roadblock in the Upper Sokponba area of Benin City.
Civil society groups have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the police to identify and hold accountable the officers involved.
Eboigbodin was reportedly stopped on Monday while driving with his wife. According to Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), initial accounts from Eboigbodin’s wife reveal that the police demanded his vehicle papers, which were up to date. They allegedly raised concerns about a discrepancy between the car’s glass engraving and its plate number. Despite providing explanations, the police reportedly seized his documents, ordered his arrest, and called for a tow truck to impound his car.
The tension at the scene escalated, and Eboigbodin reportedly slumped. Bystanders and his wife rushed him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Witnesses claimed the officers fled the scene instead of providing assistance.
The Edo State Police Command has denied allegations of misconduct. Police spokesperson SP Moses Yamu stated that the account shared by civil rights groups does not align with the version provided by the deceased’s wife to the authorities.
Civil society organizations, including ANEEJ and the Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOSCO), have demanded justice for Eboigbodin. Rev. Ugolor described him as a dedicated leader and activist who served as the former NLC Chairman in Edo State, National Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and a pioneer in various civil society initiatives.
Comrade Omobude Agho, Coordinator-General of EDOSCO, expressed shock at the actions of the police, emphasizing that Eboigbodin was a well-known and respected figure in Edo State.
The groups have issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the police to identify the officers involved and provide a detailed explanation of the incident. They insist that the incident underscores the need for reform within the Nigerian Police Force and accountability for officers’ actions.
Eboigbodin’s death has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice from labor unions, civil society organizations, and the public.