AKHERE Godwin, Benin
The family of Comrade Benson Ogedegbe, in Oghara Delta State, have sent a passionate appeal to President Muhammad Buhari to help unravel the circumstance surrounding the death of its breadwinner at the hands of military operatives.
According to the deceased’s widow, Mrs Endurance Ogedegbe, and son Stephen, her husband was killed by men of the 19 Battalion of the Nigeria Army, stationed in Koko, Delta state. An allegation corroborated by several interest groups in Oghara.
Benson Ogedegbe, a secondary school teacher and head of vigilante group in Oghara died at the hands of the military personnel after series of what the family called ‘constant threat to his life by the Commanding Officer, Lt Col. Aminu Umar.
Leading a protest over the matter, the Oghara Centre for Justice and Development alongside the family of the deceased described the death of their bread winner at the hands of the military as an extra judicial killing.
Chairman, OCJD, Rev. David Ugholor said: “We, of the Oghara Center for Justice and Development, alongside the family of Comrade Benson Ogedegbe and the people of Oghara Community wish to state here that no amount of threat, intimidation, harassment, or arrest will stop or deter us from fighting to see justice done in this case. We will continue to condemn the action of men of the Nigerian Army, 19 Battalion, Koko for executing Comrade Benson Ogedegbe unlawfully
“We therefore demand that President Muhammad Buhari should constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the activities of the 19 Battalion Nigerian Army, Koko under the leadership of Lt. Col. Aminu Kumar over the extra judicial killing of Comrade Benson Ogedegbe; the arrest and torture of peaceful protesters and the militarisation of Oghara Community,” the protest letter read.
Reacting to the incident, the Army Public Relations officer of the 4th Mechanised Brigade, Captain Unuakhalu said the matter is being investigated.
