How taskforce tortured our son to death over N50 egg – Family

The family of late Simon Azi Izang residing in Tina Junction area in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has decried the alleged torture to death of their son, Benjamin Izang, by personnel of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the multi-task force in charge of security operations in Plateau, Bauchi and parts of southern […]

The family of late Simon Azi Izang residing in Tina Junction area in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has decried the alleged torture to death of their son, Benjamin Izang, by personnel of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the multi-task force in charge of security operations in Plateau, Bauchi and parts of southern Kaduna State.

The incident which led to the alleged killing was over a misunderstanding from the purchase of N50 egg by Benjamin from his customer at a relaxation spot called Las Vegas at Tina Junction.

Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that trouble started when the egg seller traded her egg on Tuesday afternoon and someone sitting with Benjamin purchased one, but he later rejected it after Benjamin broke it, saying he would not eat the egg at that moment.

After the initial buyer of the egg rejected that which Benjamin broke for him, he (Benjamin) was then left with no option than to purchase it himself. However, upon delay in paying the money, a quarrel began between him and the egg seller which resulted in a fight.

The egg seller then went and called a personnel of OPSH who later came and took Benjamin away to “discipline” him and it eventually led to his death.

Benjamin’s elder brother, James, on behalf of the family, narrated how his sibling died. James said upon reporting his brother to the OPSH by the egg seller, they stripped him naked, forced him into the gutter and hit his legs with irons.

Benjamin, he said, then became motionless and was brought home by sympathizers upon his release by OPSH and died when they got to the hospital for treatment.

He said they reported the matter to the police and some eyewitnesses are ready to testify. James said they would take all necessary action within the law to seek justice for his brother, and that the human rights commission and other necessary bodies would be petitioned.

When contacted OPSH Media Officer, Major Ibrahim Shittu, said he was not aware of the incident.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Ubah Ogaba, confirmed that a case was reported to that effect by the family at the Nassarawa Gwon police station in Jos and that the DPO of the station asked the family to write a statement.

Ogaba said an investigation was ongoing to know who actually killed Benjamin since he did not die in the hands of the OPSH personnel, but in his house, although the OPSH invited him and then later released him.

Upon completion of the investigation, he said, the findings would be made known.