In Benin City, a heartbreaking incident occurred on Wednesday evening where a two-year-old girl lost her life after being crushed by a commercial driver following a confrontation with Edo State Public Safety Response (PSR) Team officers at Ring Road. Witnesses recounted how the PSR operatives tried to seize control of the moving vehicle, leading to the driver losing control. Subsequently, the bus collided with a roadside POS kiosk where the toddler and her mother were, resulting in the tragic death of the child.
An angry crowd at the scene reacted by attacking the PSR officers and then took them, along with the lifeless body of the child, to a nearby police station. Human rights activist Kola Edokpayi, who was present during the incident, criticized the officers’ actions and called on the government to provide modern law enforcement training for its personnel.
In response to the incident, an aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Bugie Okhuemoi, expressed the governor’s sorrow in a statement on Thursday. He acknowledged the concerns surrounding the PSR Team’s procedures and announced plans for a thorough review focusing on personnel recruitment, authority scope, and public engagement to ensure professionalism and respect for human dignity.
Governor Monday Okpebholo emphasized zero tolerance for actions by government agents that endanger or disrespect the people of Edo State, emphasizing that governance should prioritize the welfare of the people. Urgent steps are being taken to prevent such tragedies in the future, with the governor appealing for calm as the state addresses the situation promptly.