Father seeks IGP’s intervention over death of 9-year-old boy hit by power bike in Benin [VIDEO]

The father of a nine-year-old boy who was allegedly knocked down and killed by an unregistered mini power bike in Benin City, Edo State, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene in the case and ensure justice for his son.

The grieving father, Akurio Ejiro Oghene, alleged that his efforts to have the circumstances surrounding his son’s death properly investigated had been frustrated by police officers handling the case in Edo State.

According to him, the incident occurred along Airport Road, Benin City, while his son was crossing the road with his mother and three brothers, including his twin brother.

Oghene alleged that the boy was crossing through a zebra crossing when he was struck by the motorcycle.

He further claimed that the rider initially attempted to move the motorcycle away from the scene but was stopped by a woman who witnessed the incident.

According to the father, an argument reportedly followed between the rider and the woman, prompting commercial drivers in the area to intervene and move the motorcycle into a nearby church.

He said the rider later reported the incident at a police station, allegedly claiming that the child ran into his motorcycle.

The father, however, disputed the account and said eyewitnesses who went to the police station to give statements were allegedly prevented from doing so by the investigating police officer.

READ ALSO; Police deny IGP Disu issued ‘shoot-on-sight’ order, say remarks were misrepresented

Father alleges police frustration

In a video appealing for intervention, Oghene said he had approached several police formations but was yet to get what he considered a satisfactory investigation.

He said he expected the matter to be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) but alleged that police officers continued to direct him to the traffic unit.

“My son was hit by a bike, was killed by a bike along Airport Road, Benin City, and instead of them to transfer the case to CID for them to do their job, they are bringing me to the traffic unit,” he said.

The bereaved father appealed directly to the Inspector-General of Police for help, saying he lacked the resources and connections to pursue the matter against those handling the case.“IG, I need your help. I need your intervention. I don’t have any other person to run to. I don’t have the resources to muzzle up with these people,” he said.

READ ALSO; IGP Disu Bans Unauthorised Social Media Activities by Police Officers

Oghene also expressed concern over what he described as unanswered questions surrounding his son’s death, while stressing that he wanted the circumstances investigated thoroughly.

“I don’t know if this my son was used for rituals. I don’t know,” he said, calling for a comprehensive investigation.

Dispute over speed

The father also questioned the rider’s reported account of the speed at which the motorcycle was travelling at the time of the incident.

He said the rider allegedly claimed to have been travelling at about 20 kilometres per hour.

“How can 20 kilometres per hour fracture the skull of a child and fracture the leg?” Oghene asked.

He said the matter had previously been reported at Yakubu Police Station, where he alleged that the investigating police officer frustrated attempts by eyewitnesses to provide statements.

“The IPO handling the case was muzzling my hand. He didn’t want my witnesses to write statements, and the case just came out with those lines,” he alleged.

The father said he was at the traffic unit along Sapling Road while making the appeal for the police authorities to intervene.

Family prepares to mark twin brothers’ birthday

Oghene said the death has left the family devastated, particularly the boy’s twin brother.

He disclosed that the deceased child was expected to celebrate his 10th birthday with his twin brother on August 17, but died before reaching the milestone.

According to him, the child’s school fees had already been paid, but his twin brother has since become deeply affected by the loss.

“At the moment, the twin brother says he cannot go to school without his brother,” he said.

The father described his late son as a promising child and appealed to the police authorities to ensure that all eyewitnesses are allowed to provide statements and that the circumstances of the fatal crash are independently investigated.

The allegations made by the bereaved father could not be independently verified, and the position of the police authorities and the motorcycle rider involved was not immediately available.

Oghene’s appeal comes amid calls for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death, including the circumstances of the crash, the conduct of the rider and the handling of the case by the police.