An ex-soldier in Benin City, Nigeria, has died from suspected high blood pressure after watching a video where his son was beaten to a pulp for allegedly having an amorous affair with an estranged wife of a serving Police Sergeant.
Some days ago a disturbing video emerged from Benin City and it went viral on Facebook. One Ese Idehen was shown being beaten, bloodied and thrown into a car booth by a group of young men for allegedly sleeping with the ex-wife of one Police officer of Edo State’s Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Sgt. Nagbama Eboigbe.
Reports have it that it was a gory video, which elicited different reactions from some who condemned the victim for allegedly sleeping with another man’s wife, and from others who argued that a consenting action between two grown-ups should not be met by such premeditated brutality.
Now it appears the father of the victim watched the video and couldn’t stand the shock and shame of seeing his son subjected to serious brutality.
According to counsel to Mr. Idehen, Jepherson Uwoghiren, who has started waging a legal battle against the assaulting Police officer over the matter in Benin City, the victim’s father has died from high blood pressure after learning of the fate that befell his son. He wrote on Tuesday morning: “Arising from the brutal and shocking beating Mr. Ese Idehen received and suffered in the hands of his abductors, few days ago, his father who watched videos of the abduction and assault developed High Blood Pressure. He was rushed to UBTH where he died. I spoke with the old man, a retired soldier and his wife just this morning. Another sad outcome of this sordid incident.”
It was also learnt that the accused Police officer, Eboigbe (popularly known as Smally in Benin City) has been detained by the Edo State Police Command in connection with the matter of assault.
Uwoghiren reveals that “sequel to our petition and complaints of brazen abuse of power, criminal abduction, assault and battery, Mr. Nagbama Osakpamwan Eboigbe, Sergeant with Edo State Special Anti Robbery Squad has been arrested. Other officers who assisted him to falsely imprison our client, Mr. Ese Idehen, are in trouble.”
It was further learnt that the estranged wife of the police officer had posted a video in which she claimed that her marriage with Sgt. Eboigbe had long been over before the said romantic relationship with Idehen.
Earlier (October 13) in a lengthy Facebook post, Barrister Uwoghiren gave a detailed account of what happened to his client and promised to deal with Sgt. Eboigbe within the ambit of the law. He wrote: “Please be informed that the trending online video of the brazen abduction and battery of a young man in Benin City is now a subject of criminal investigation in Edo State.
“The victim of the abduction and battery deny every allegation of amorous impropriety made in the said video.
“The fact of the matter is as briefly stated here under: On Monday, 9th October, 2017, one Mr. Nagbama Osakpamwan Eboigbe, a.k.a Smally, a Sergeant attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), with an online history of acrimonious separation from his ex-wife, attacked Mr. Ese Idehen who he falsely accused of dating his ex-wife with the assistance of over eight thugs specially hired for the purpose.
“Mr. Ese Idehen was beaten, dragged and locked up in a cell in Ugbor Police Station, GRA, Benin City. He was released the following day without any statement obtained from him or bail application on the order of the DPO who frowned at the brazen abuse of office and illegal detention without his approval. He thereafter warned the rampaging Police Sergeant to desist from using his station to perpetrate illegalities and injustice. Mr. Nagbama Osakpamwan Eboigbe claimed that he has spent millions in contracting his failed marriage and wanted compensation. The parties were asked to leave the station and maintain peace.
“Apparently frustrated and unable to use the Police to perfect his illegal plans, on Thursday 12th October, 2017, at about 6pm the said Mr. Eboigbe a.k.a Smally leading over 10 thugs and armed with assorted weapons including a Beretta Pistol stormed where Mr. Ese Idehen was drinking on MM Way, Benin City with his friends, seized him, beat him up and bundled him into his personal Toyota Highlander Jeep with registration number AYB 518 FQ and drove off with him to unknown destination. Mr. Idehen was blindfolded and severely beaten with assorted cudgels. In a video released by his abductors, later that night, Mr. Idehen was shown being beaten, interrogated and forced to admit all sort of wrongful conducts he was incapable of doing. He herewith deny every allegation of amorous impropriety and challenges Mr. Nagbama Osakpamwan Eboigbe a.k.a Smally to show proof.
“His abductors stole his money and other personal items and later dumped him still blindfolded at about 11pm closed to Ebenezer Primary School, Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City.
“This unacceptable and brazen abuse of power by Mr. Eboigbe a.k.a Smally is very unfortunate and we shall ensure, within the limits of the Law, that he is brought to book and made to answer for his illegal actions. It’s a promise.”