Joseph Onminyi, father of 19-year-old Peter Onminyi, who was allegedly killed by officers from the Operation Zenda unit of the Benue State Police Command, has made a public plea for justice and the release of his son’s body. He recounted that his son was shot dead in front of family members while they were having dinner at their residence in Welfare Quarters, Makurdi, on May 19, 2024.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi, Onminyi alleged that police officers invaded their home, shot Peter without explanation, took his body, and seized various belongings from their home. He is now demanding the return of his son’s body for a proper burial according to Idoma customs, as well as the return of the seized household items, including two motorcycles, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a gas cooker. He also asked for access to his home, which has been locked by the police since the incident, leaving his family to sleep in an uncompleted building nearby.
Onminyi, a retired civil servant, described his son as a gentle, law-abiding individual, adding, “They didn’t inform us of any offense. They jumped the fence, entered, and started shooting without a word.” He expressed anguish over the police’s unexplained actions, stating that it felt like “armed robbery,” as the officers neither announced their purpose nor followed standard arrest procedures.
Following the incident, Onminyi filed a human rights violation case against the police but claims that the police have repeatedly failed to appear in court, delaying the legal process. “It seems they believe they are above the law,” he lamented.
When contacted, SP Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State Command, confirmed awareness of the case, stating that the operation involved a suspected kidnapping incident in which an individual exchanged gunfire with the police, resulting in a fatality. However, she noted she was unsure of the identity of the deceased and promised to verify details.
The incident has drawn attention to issues of police conduct and the handling of cases involving suspects, with the family calling for intervention from the Nigerian authorities and human rights organizations to investigate and address what they describe as a case of police brutality and injustice.
