By Osahon Osahon
Unknown thugs on Friday in Benin, Edo State, attacked hundreds of #EndSARS protesters who were protesting against police brutality in the state, leaving at least two persons dead.
It was gathered that many of the protesters sustained gunshots and other injuries during the attack.
One of the dead protesters was identified simply as Ikpomwosa.
The protest by hundreds of youths which began on a peaceful note at the city centre, later turned bloody, as the hoodlums clashed with the protesting youths.
It was gathered that some youths, Ogbe Boys who collect revenue for Oredo local government council, accused the protesters of preventing them from collecting revenue from vehicles using the car park.
ALSO READ: Prof. JP Clark Buried In Delta, Son Explains Why Famous Poet Was Buried Without Fanfare
The hoodlums were said to have suddenly appeared with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons to attack the the protesters.
While some of the protesting youths took to their heels, others stayed back to persuade the hoodlums that the peaceful protest was for all of the youths and that they were not out to fight anybody.
It was further learnt that the hoodlums who were clad in red T-shirt, were saying “why are they disturbing our work,” and in the process brought guns, cutlasses and other dangerous to attack the protesting youths.
Some of those who received gunshot injuries in the ensuing violence were later rushed to the nearby Central Hospital, while the body of Ikpomwosa was convayed in an ambulance through the Reservation Road to the Government House.
One of the injured persons, Abere Godswill, during the attack, said the hoodlums descended on him thinking he wanted to video them while removing the cutlasses from their vehicle
“I didn’t join the protest; I was coming from the bank when I met them on the road. Because I held phone in my hand, they started beating me saying I wanted to video them. They collected the phone and I had to run for my life,” he said
The youths however, later regrouped after the hoodlums had been chased away and continued the protest.
Also speaking, one of the protesters, Efosa Igbinoba, said they were at the Ring Road to protest police brutality and good governance in Nigeria, only to be attacked by hoodlums.
ALSO READ: Photos From Prof JP Clark’s Burial In Kiagbodo
“We started the protest from Sapele Road, but on getting to the Ring Road, hoodlums just appeared from nowhere with cutlasses and guns to attack us and disrupt the protest.
“Our demands are, don’t end SARS and come with Swat. Police should be reformed as well as reduction of salary of the members of the House of Representative and the Senate,” he said.
Another protester, Victoria Nkechi, (60), said she is on the street to support the youths in their protest for good governance.
“Years ago, I called for protest due to bad governance, but no body listen to me. Today, I am glad that they are protesting for good governance today,” she said.
This attack on youths are done by police setup and for this All Nigeria police men and women should go back to their barracks and go work to their stations of duty. We don’t want to see any police personal moving alone without his or her team on duty.
We are removing office of Human right out of police this time.
To enable them know that they are employed to serve not to lead the citizens.
They are all employed with their Application forms in the promise to do this work with humanity and humble, which make us to employed them.
Now they are claiming that they employed their self by telling us what we must want and not what we that give the the work will tell them what to do. Imagine what this country is turning to?
We are removing office of Human right out of police control from now. Nigerians must be free