"Tragic Shooting of 18-Year-Old Sparks Protests in Ekpoma, Edo State"

 

An 18-year-old boy, Chinedu Abimbor, was reportedly shot dead by the police in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
‎
‎According to DAILY POST, the tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at a police checkpoint in the town. While Chinedu lost his life, his younger brother was said to have been arrested by the police.
‎
‎The killing sparked protests from youths and the victim’s family, who demanded justice and called for the officer responsible to be held accountable.
‎
‎An eyewitness, who spoke anonymously, stated that the victim was driving a Mercedes-Benz when he was flagged down by police officers at a checkpoint. However, he reportedly refused to stop, which angered one of the officers. In response, the officer fired at the vehicle, killing the young man on the spot.
‎
‎The eyewitness further revealed that Chinedu’s brother, who was in the car at the time, was immediately arrested and taken into custody. The news of the shooting prompted angry youths to take to the streets of Ekpoma on Thursday, demanding justice for the slain teenager.
‎
‎The protesters also visited the palace of the traditional ruler of Ekpoma, HRH Anthony Ehizogie Abumere II, where they called for the immediate release of the victim’s brother.
‎
‎A spokesman for the protesters, Lucky Adaba, stated that when they went to the police station to inquire about the incident, the police responded by firing teargas and gunshots at them. He further alleged that the police had developed a habit of harassing young men driving cars in Ekpoma.
‎
‎Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command announced that a full-scale investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
‎
‎In a statement released on Friday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, explained that the incident involved a joint security team and the occupants of an unregistered Mercedes-Benz, leading to the death of Chinedu Abimbor.
‎
‎Yamu stated that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, had ordered the immediate withdrawal of the three patrol teams involved in the incident from operational duties. He added that the Commissioner expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and urged the public to remain calm, assuring them that justice would be served.