Police operatives in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo state, have reportedly shot and killed a 18-year-old teenager identified as Chinedu Abimbor.
Blueprint gathered that the tragic incident occurred on Wednesday at a police checkpoint in the town.
An eyewitness who craved anonimity said the victim who was driving in a Mercedes Benz refused to stop at the police checkpoint when he was flagged down by operatives.
The witness added that the development angered one of the police operatives who immediately shot at the vehicle, killing the victim in the process.
“His brother who rode in the vehicle with him at the time was immediately arrested by the police and taken into custody.”
To this end, angry youths on Thursday took to the streets of Ekpoma to demand justice for the the 18-year-old.
The protesters who also had a stopover at the traditional ruler of Ekpoma, HRH, Anthony Ehizogie Abumere II, demanded the immediate release of the victim’s brother from custody.
Spokesman for the protesters who identified himself as Lucky Adaba said, “we went to the police station to inquire on what would have possibly led to the killing, the police teargased us and started shooting.
“The police have formed the habit of harrasing young boys driving cars in Ekpoma,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of police in Edo State, Betty Otimenyin has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident, with a view to ascertain what actually occurred.
In a statement issued by the spokesman of Edo State police command on Friday, CSP Moses Yamu said: “the incident involved a security forces’ joint operation team and occupants of an unregistered Mercedes Benz which resulted in the death of one Chinedu Obimbor.”
The statement explained that the CP has directed the immediate withdrawal of the three patrol teams fingered in the incident from operations.
The police spokesman said the CP commiserated with family, friends of the deceased, and “called for calm from the general public with assurance that justice will be served at the end.”