NSCDC denies officers’ involvement in Edo Bolt driver’s death

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has denied the involvement of its officers in the death of a Bolt driver in Edo State.

The NSCDC Spokesman in the state, Efosa Egbebor, told journalists on Friday in Benin that its officials were only helping the state police command in its investigation.

The agency had earlier confirmed the arrest of officers over the driver’s death during Thursday’s protest by the association of Bolt drivers in the state.

Egbebor said preliminary investigation by the corps at the command level showed that the officers were not responsible for the driver’s death.

He said: “Our boys did not kill anybody. The case is before the police, and we cannot be a judge in our own case.

“The incident occurred when a Bolt driver had a verbal altercation with a customer at a hotel which degenerated into a physical fight.

“The driver who was allegedly beaten by the customer and his friends later died.

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“The NSCDC officers on duty at the hotel intervened and restored order but did not harm the driver.

“We have sent our boys to the police to give them the necessary information. We are cooperating fully with the police in the investigation.”

The spokesperson dismissed reports that the corps officers were arrested, saying they presented themselves to the police to assist in the investigation.

He said the NSCDC would not condone any act of indiscipline or illegality, and that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing would face the consequences.

“After the investigation has been concluded, we will not know who and who went wrong. We are not going to back anybody or support anybody for any illegality.

“Whoever has broken the law will face the wrath of the law. That’s justice,” Egbebor stated.

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