From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded justice for the death of its former Edo State Council Chairman, Kaduna Eboidogbin.
In a statement issued by NLC spokesperson Benson Upah on Thursday, the Congress called for the immediate arrest, detention, and prosecution of the police officers allegedly responsible for Eboidogbin’s death.
NLC expressed its grief over the untimely death of Eboidogbin, describing it as a tragedy that has left them in deep sorrow.
It also criticised the Edo State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force for their history of alleged cover-ups in cases involving police misconduct, urging them to act decisively and transparently in this case to restore public trust.
“We would want to join trade unions, civil society allies, and patriotic Nigerians in Edo State in calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of police officers responsible for the death of Kaduna Eboidogbin, former NLC State Council Chairman in Edo State.
“The explanation offered by the officers involved in this heinous crime is lame and ridiculous, as well as insulting our collective intelligence.
“Accordingly, nothing short of immediate arrest, detention, and prosecution for murder of the officers involved will satisfy us. The untimely death of Kaduna Eboidogbin is a tragedy we are yet to come to terms with.
“The Edo State Police Command, and indeed, the Nigeria Police Force, should resist the urge for a cover-up, as has often been the case when their officers overstep their brief.
“The Nigeria Police Force stands to gain nothing when it protects bad eggs or nurtures them in its fold in the name of managing its public image.
“Indeed, it loses everything by doing so, including its essence. It is the reason why we urge the Commissioner, Edo State Police Command, CP Umoru Ozigi, to seize the momentum by acting with transparent courage, knowing full well that a life has been snuffed out through wilful conduct.
“In terms of dealing with erring officers, we urge the police to borrow a leaf from the Nigerian Army.
“Finally, we urge the police to take our advice seriously before it faces another backlash from the public,” the statement said.