Tension in Benin over death of suya seller

TENSION is mounting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, over the death of barbecue (Suya) seller, Musa Alkali in Oredo Local Government Area.

Alkali was said to have been killed, allegedly by agents of the state revenue agency last week Friday at his suya spot on ADP junction by Airport Road.

Members of the Hausa community on Tuesday, staged a protest at the Oredo Council secretariat, alleging that late Alkali was stabbed to death following his alleged refusal to pay N100 fee to revenue agents reportedly from the Oredo Council Area.

However, Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Osaro Obazee, while reacting to the allegation, absolved the team of revenue collectors of complicity in the death of the Suya seller, saying: “No responsible government would send revenue agents to go and kill anybody on any

account.”

While urging the aggrieved Hausa protesters to be patient, Obazee said he had ordered a full scale investigation into the incident.

However, there are varied accounts of the circumstances of the death of Alkali, even as Oredo Council boss yesterday scheduled a meeting between the council and the Hausa community leaders.

An eye witness at the scene of the incident said Alkali was killed by bullets from fleeing armed robbers while, another source had it that revenue agents operating in Oredo Council Area demanded the sum of N100 from Alkali at about 8:30pm, saying his refusal led to a fight and was subsequently stabbed to death in the ensuing

fracas.

The remains of late Alkali is said to have been buried in a cemetery at Eyaen, a suburb of Hausa dwellers in Benin.

Contacted, the Edo State Police image maker, DSP Moses Eguavoen, was

said to be at an official engagement with the Commissioner of Police.