Tension has gripped Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, following the tragic killing of an 18-year-old boy, Chinedu Abimbor, by a police officer. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, has sparked protests by angry youths demanding justice for the deceased and the immediate release of his detained brother.
According to eyewitnesses, the teenager was shot after reportedly refusing to stop at a police checkpoint. He was said to be driving an unregistered Mercedes Benz when security operatives flagged down the vehicle. Instead of stopping, the young man allegedly drove past the checkpoint, prompting one of the officers to open fire.
Chinedu was hit by the bullets and died on the spot. His brother, who was with him in the vehicle, was arrested and taken into custody. The police are yet to disclose his identity or the reason for his arrest.
The news of the killing spread quickly, leading to widespread anger and protests in the Ekpoma area. Dozens of youths stormed the streets, demanding accountability and justice. They accused the police of profiling and harassing young men who drive cars, especially luxury vehicles.
One of the protesters, Lucky Adaba, who spoke with journalists, said the youths marched peacefully to the police station to demand an investigation into the killing and the release of Chinedu’s brother. However, the situation turned chaotic when the police allegedly fired tear gas at the crowd.
“The police have been disturbing us in this town. If you’re young and driving a car, they’ll harass you for no reason,” Adaba said. “Now, they have killed an innocent boy. When we tried to protest peacefully, they tear-gassed us. This is not right.”
Following the public outcry, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway. The spokesperson of the command, CSP Moses Yamu, issued a statement on Thursday, noting that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
According to the statement, the incident involved a joint security operation team and a vehicle with two male occupants. The vehicle, a black unregistered Mercedes Benz, allegedly failed to stop when ordered to do so, leading to the fatal shooting.
CSP Yamu said, “The Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the three patrol teams reportedly involved in the incident. She has also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a thorough investigation.”
He added that the Commissioner had expressed her condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and urged residents to remain calm while investigations continued. “She assures the public that justice will be served in this matter, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” the statement concluded.
The tragic event has once again raised concerns over police brutality and the use of excessive force in Nigeria. Incidents of police officers shooting unarmed civilians, especially at checkpoints, have become a disturbing trend that continues to erode public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
Human rights advocates and civil society organisations have condemned the killing and called for immediate disciplinary action against the officer who fired the shot.
“This is another sad reminder that police reform in Nigeria is far from complete,” said Barrister Uche Igbokwe, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer. “It is unacceptable that officers resort to using lethal force over minor infractions such as refusing to stop at a checkpoint. This young man’s life has been cut short unnecessarily, and the government must act.”
The killing of Chinedu Abimbor comes at a time when the country is still healing from the scars of the 2020 #EndSARS protests—a youth-led movement that highlighted rampant police abuse, harassment, and extrajudicial killings.
In response to the #EndSARS protests, the Nigerian government pledged to reform the police, including better training, accountability, and more humane treatment of citizens. However, critics argue that not much has changed on the ground, especially in rural and suburban areas where police officers often act with little oversight.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations are planning to send petitions to the Inspector General of Police and the National Human Rights Commission. They are also calling for the implementation of body cameras for officers on patrol and more robust training on rules of engagement and human rights.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, at the time of filing this report, had not yet issued an official statement. However, sources close to the state government say the governor is aware of the situation and is monitoring the police investigation closely.
As the community of Ekpoma struggles to come to terms with the loss, the broader Nigerian public is once again reminded of the urgent need to reform policing practices in the country.
