Woman Killed in Police Raid in Edo

Tragedy struck Monday when operatives of Edo State Police Command killed a middle-aged woman during a raid on her family residence in Benin City, the state capital.

The victim, Joy Ekhosuehi, it was gathered was shot to death while attempting to resist a team of heavily armed police officers who raided her family residence at 03, Odudu Street, Off Evbuotubu, Ekehuan road, Benin-City about 4am on Monday, 15.

Our correspondent visit revealed blood stained sitting room and overturned furniture throughout the three-room apartment as the Ekhosuehi family was said to be observing its usual morning devotion when the police struck without any prior notice.

Neigbhours alarmed by the incident besieged the compound fearing that the desperate police team will step at nothing at apprehending Bose, giving the tragic circumstances at her residence.

Joy Ekhosuehi’s body was said to have been taken to a nearby morgue.

A visibly traumatized man among them who identified himself as Mr. Lucky Ekhosuehi, the deceased cousin narrated that the police accessed their property after scaling the perimeter fence of the compound and like scene in a gangster movie, pulled down the main entrance door.

He said the police invaded the apartment searching for Bose Ekhosuehi who was arrested after being caught indulging in same-sex activities.

Mr. Lucky further stated that the gun wielding officers accused the family of shielding Bose from prosecution after she escaped from police lawful custody, a week earlier.

“My cousin Bose Ekhosuehi has two children for one Kazeem Sujuola Yusuf now in South Africa, she was arrested and detained awaiting trial ever since”, Mr. Lucky sobbed.

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer for Edo State police Command SP Chidi Nwabuzor defended the raid, stating that it was part of ongoing legitimate investigation.

He explained that one Bose Ekhosuehi, 46 was caught indulging in same-sex act with Sandra Stanley, 51 in a hotel in G.R.A, Benin City, last November.

“We obtained court-ordered to detain them beyond the usual 24 hours to enable investigators properly interrogate and profile them, thereafter initiate a clampdown on other of their syndicates operating in the state.

“The commissioner of police, CP Mohammed Dankwara had ordered their transfer from Ugbor Police Station in G.R.A to the state police command headquarters, Benin along with other suspects when they escaped during an ambush that resulted in the death of a police Inspector and injuries of two sergeants.

“I believe you remember the reported ambush that occurred along Airport road in Benin City on January 8, 2024.

“Our investigation has revealed that those suspects conspired with their criminal gangs to launch that attack. We have rearrested one of the escapees of that ambush and the suspect is assisting in our further investigation.

“However, we regret the killing of one Joy Ekhosuehi’s identified as sister to one of our escapee suspects who we shall leave no stone unturned towards arresting her to face due prosecution. We have enough evidence, she can only run for a while”, SP Nwabuzor asserted.