A group on the aegis of Concerned Edo Citizens have decried the brutalisation of a rights activist, Comrade Okhai Okhani, by local vigilantes in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area (LGA).
The group also berated the Area Commander of Auchi, ACP Lawrence Adjihu, for unlawfully detaining Okhani in police cell despite his critical condition.
Comrade Okhani, was said to be hosting a town hall meeting for Edo North Senatorial District legislators geared to brief the people of their stewardship last week, when some vigilantes stormed the venue and started beating him severely.
Narrating his ordeal, the severely wounded Right advocate, Comrade Okhai Okhani told Newsmen that the Vigilant group came with over ten motorcycles and four vehicles to the venue and started brutalising him
“We were about starting when we saw three Hilux of vigilantes and one Siena and between fifteen to twenty bikes loaded with vigilantes group who were just inaugurated Monday of that week. They came started shooting, condemned everything we have arranged and put on the ground and started brutalising me like an animal. After they finished beating me they threw me inside one of the Hilux they came with, the men with put me in the back of the Hilux and started matching me like a strong animal “.
Also speaking, Coordinator of Concerned Edo Citizens, Marxist Kola Edokpayi, stated that the statement credited to the said vigilantes that they acted on orders from above raises serious concern.
Edokpayi demanded for the immediate arrest and prosecution of some individuals and vigilantes said to be involved in the assault and torture of the activist.
“According to eyewitness reports and the victim himself, the attackers clearly intended to execute him extrajudicially.
However, due to swift public reaction and outrage, they aborted their plan and instead handed him over to the police.”
He also asked for the immediate redeployment and disciplinary action against ACP Adjihu over alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office, and endangering the life of a citizen.
” Most alarmingly, when they turned him in, the vigilante leaders told the Auchi Area Commander, ACP Lawrence Adjihu, that they acted under “an order from above.”
Rather than provide medical assistance or initiate an investigation into what transpired, the Area Commander, ACP Adjihu, a very senior police officer unlawfully detained Comrade Okhani who was almost dead for over four (4) hours in a cell, despite his critical condition.
His family members and well-wishers were denied access to him throughout the ordeal. This conduct is a blatant dereliction of duty and a violation of constitutional rights and professional ethics.”
Edokpayi added, “We demand a thorough investigation into the alleged order from above to uncover any higher authorities who may have sanctioned this criminal operation.
“This is in addition to a complete overhaul and regulation of vigilante operations across Edo State, including retraining, accountability systems, and strict adherence to human rights laws.”
A viral video of the incident which occured on July 26, 2025 showed the rampaging vigilantes throwing the activist to the floor and began to brutalise him.
Radio Nigeria recalls that the Edo state police commissioner, Monday Agbonika, had ordered investigation into the incident
SOURCE: Fortune Oyem, FRCN, Benin
