An angry mob has lynched two police officers in Ikpeshi, a community in Akoko-Edo Local Council of Edo State, after their vehicle hit a motorcycle, resulting in the death of the rider and co-rider.
The Guardian learnt that the police officers were in a Toyota Hilux, as part of an escort team to a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly when their vehicle rammed into the motorcycle.
Angry youths allegedly invaded the office of the Edo State Security Volunteer Network (vigilantes) where the policemen were taken into custody, overran the facility, and beat the two to death.
However, it was gathered that the vigilantes managed to rescue two other policemen who are currently receiving treatment in a hospital. Their rifles were also recovered.
The youths also destroyed furniture at the office of the vigilantes and threatened to deal with them if they tried to rescue the policemen.
A police source said the affected officers were from Police Mobile Force 19, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The source said: “One Toyota Hilux van conveying four police officers, namely: Inspector Brownson Brown, Inspector Abubaka Fakkuk, Sergeant Taiye Ojiefo, and Sergeant Elisha John, attached to Police Mobile Force 19, Port Harcourt, on escort duty with Emmanuel Agbaje, a former Edo State House Assembly member, was involved in an accident with a motorcycle conveying a woman and child.
“In the process the rider and passenger died on the spot. And in a reaction, an angry mob attacked the police officers, beat Inspector Abubaka Fakku and Sergeant Elisha John to death while two others are receiving treatment at Ifejola Hospital, Igarra.”
Confirming the development yesterday, the spokesperson for Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, said more details would be made available to the public in due time.
Reacting, the chairman, Akoko-Edo Local Council, Tajudeen Alade, condemned the action of the youths and commended efforts of the vigilantes in saving the lives of the police officers.
He said those involved in the mob killing would be brought to book.
