Edo: Driver crushes friend to death after sharing ogogoro drink with him in Benin

BENIN CITY—Tragedy struck in Benin City on Monday, as a driver attached to a private firm in Edo State, crushed his friend, Pa Egbe Eghobawaye,  to death, after sharing a local gin, popularly known as Ogogoro, together.

The tragedy started when the driver was said to have visited Pa Eghobawaye, who was theOdionwere (oldest man) of Nekpenekpen Street, off First East Circular road in Benin City, and requested for the local gin from the wife of the deceased, who deals in the local gin.

After sharing the Ogogoro with Pa Eghobawaye, said to be in his 80s, he decided to go back to his office, but lost control of the vehicle and crushed his friend to death, to the surprise of residents of the area.

Angry residents were said to have descended on the driver, but he was rescued by some youths, who handed him over to the Police.

The Odionwere was said to be having a shave in front of his house after the drink with his friend, when the truck driver lost control, and hit him.

Wife of the deceased who witnessed the incident, was said to have fainted, and was rushed to the hospital where she was revived.

Brother to the deceased, Mr. Solomon Omoregie, who spoke to newsmen, lamented that “for a company driver to kill my brother like this, is very callous. We will not take the law into our hands and we have told our family members not to take any action by burning the vehicle or by killing the man. We want the police to take up the case and do what is necessary”

At the time of this report, it was gathered that the Odionwere was buried Monday night following his instruction to his children that his corpse should not be deposited in the mortuary.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Stephen Onwuche, said the driver had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the real cause of the incident.

Edo: Driver crushes friend to death after sharing ogogoro drink with him in Benin