Groups protest killing of physically-challenged man in Edo communal crisis
The Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability and the Edo State Civil Society Organisations, EDOSCO, on Tuesday protested against the
The Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability and the Edo State Civil Society Organisations, EDOSCO, on Tuesday protested against the gruesome murder of a physically challenged man in the Obazagbon community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
DAILY POST reports that during the protest in Benin City, the groups decried the murder of the physically challenged man, identified as Efe Ogbeide.
Speaking, the Executive Director of the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability, Barrister Omasah Melody, said the victim was deaf and could not hear when the alarm was raised by the invaders.
Melody stated that while others ran away, the deceased fell into the hands of the alleged murderers because he could not hear.
While demanding justice for the victim, he urged the government to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
“We are in pain. We are deeply touched because Mrs Betty has lost a dear husband. His children have been made fatherless.
“Ogbeide’s only crime was that he struggled to fend for himself and his family despite his disability, so he would not be a liability to society. It was in the course of striving to put food on the table for his family that death met him.
“The frequency of communal clashes over land and related issues is becoming far too common. It has to stop. Security agents must rise to the occasion.
“When there are crises in the community, the physically challenged suffer more. People with disabilities are the worst affected,” he said.
Reacting, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the mayhem in the Obazagbon community.
Yamu added that the investigation is still ongoing.
DAILY POST gathered that the Obazagbon community is embroiled in a violent leadership crisis, leading to the destruction of property and loss of lives.