Police redeploy DPO over killing of University of Benin student

The police confirmed the redeployment.

The Nigeria Police has redeployed the Divisional Police Officer of Ogida Police Station, Carol Afegbai from the post. The police announced on Friday that the re-deployment was to allow for a thorough investigation of the shooting to death of a 500-level student of the University of Benin, Ibrahim Momodu.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Folusho Adebanjo, said on Friday that “it might be too early for anyone to dismiss either the claim of the police or that of the bereaved family.”

“In order to demonstrate that the Edo State Police management team’s desire for justice and fairness as it concerns this case, the case file has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice,”

AN orderly to the redeployed officer, Amadi Idahosa, allegedly shot Mr. Momodu to death on May 27 in a case that has led to much public outcry.

“The DPO of Ogida Division, CSP Carol Afegbai and her orderly, PC Amadin Idahosa who shot the deceased have also been redeployed to facilitate further investigation,” the police commissioner said although poice sources said the orderly is currently being detained by the police.

Mr. Momodu was shot, on the chest, dead at night while returning home after allegedly resisting police stop-and-search. His corpse was allegedly buried by the police the following day. His corpse was dug on Thursday and an autopsy carried out to determine the cause and time of his death.

UNIBEN denies deceased

Meanwhile, the University of Benin has said that the deceased was not its student as at the time of the killing.

The Public Relations Officer of the University, Harrison Osarenren, said though Mr. Momodu was a matriculated student of the school, he last did his registration for the 2009/ 2010 session.

“The university rule says that refusal to register makes you a non-student. Technically speaking, I would not say he is a student. He is not our student for now,” Mr. Momodu said