The Edo State Police Command has arrested one of its officers for allegedly causing the death of a person after unlawfully discharging tear-gas in Benin City.
Command spokesperson ASP Eno Ikoedem said the incident occurred on May 25 at Ogida, where the officer fired the canister without authorisation.
The action led to the death of an unidentified individual. The officer was arrested immediately and is undergoing both disciplinary and criminal proceedings in line with the law.
Separately, police have detained four people in connection with a stampede at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during the Children’s Day celebration on May 27.
Those arrested are Ifeanyi John Paul, 36, Ola Ibikunle, 46, Onoha Chukwuoji, 33, and Mrs Rebecca Hassan, who is alleged to have supplied the pepper spray used at the event.
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According to the command, private bouncers unlawfully discharged pepper spray inside the stadium, sparking panic that affected several children and other attendees. Investigators traced the spray to Hassan, who was later apprehended as the supplier.
The command expressed concern over the rising spread of restricted security items such as pepper spray and tear-gas among private individuals, bouncers, vigilantes, and unauthorised outfits.
It warned that using such equipment without training endangers public safety and can cause disorder, injury, or death.
Ikoedem said the unlawful possession and use of these items would be treated as criminal offences. She ordered all individuals and groups in possession of pepper spray, tear-gas, or similar gear to surrender them immediately, warning that sellers, distributors, and users found with the items would be arrested and prosecuted.
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