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| Late Michael Eyo Essien, allegedly killed by men of Department of Public Transport, DOPT, in Calabar, Cross River State. |
Until his unforseen death last Friday, Michael Eyo Essien, a native of Creek Town in Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River State was a Trader who sold phone accessories by the roadside around Watt Market, a popular market in Calabar capital of Cross River State, Nigeria.
According to his Wife Mary, his neighbour Joy, and eye witnesses account, Michael Essien left his house on that fateful day hale and hearty, without any premonition of death. While at his business spot, men of the Department of Public Transport in their characteristic manner of harassing, intimidating, bullying, extorting money and most times seizing the wares of treaders who sell by the roadside beckoned.
On arrival at Michael's spot where he sells phone accessories, the men seized all his goods which he had displayed for sale, the umbrella which he uses to take shade as well his wheelbarrow which served as both his stationary and mobile shop. As they did, they deposited them in the cargo department of their patrol vehicle. Michael followed them and pleaded for the release of his goods. Rather than listen to his pleas which fell on deaf years, they bullied him in a reckless manner they would never do even to an animal. But the young man kept pleading that they freed his wares for him as he had no other means of livelihood.
With a pharoahnic heart which they are known to possess, Michael's persistent pleas angered the men of Department of Public Transport particularly their Boss in the day's patrol team. It was he, according to reports, who ordered his Officer on the steering to hit the young trader, Michael, who at the time, was standing before their vehicle and pleading to be pitied. The slavish thinking and cowardice officer obeyed the wicked and militaristic order of his Pharoahnic Boss and smashed Michael Eyo Essien to dead.
That callous action ended the life of a Father and bread winner of four children and a foetus in the womb.
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| Late Michael Essien's children: Wisdom and Joshua... |
When GLOBAL ACHIEVERS visited the deceased's room single room apartment at 18 Edibe Edibe road, almost opposite Duncan street in Calabar South of Cross River State, his pregnant wife, four children, an aged mother, aged mother-in-law were seen in a pool of tears. His young wife, Mary cried inconsolably. Tears soaked her eyes and rushed as water endlessly on her cheeks. She said: "Life was hard when my husband was alive. It was difficult for him to cater for the family though he tried his best. What will happen to us now that he is no more?"
GLOBAL ACHIEVERS contacted the Police Public Relations Officer in Cross River State, Irene Ugbo, through phone. In a phone conversation, she confirmed that the force was aware of the sad incident and that the two officers involved are in their custody and will soon be charged to court.
The offices of Department of Public Transport have remained closed since the unfortunate incident. Their men have been off the roads too. Efforts to meet or speak with Officers of DOPT proved abortive.
The family of the deceased Calabar trader, Michael Eyo Essien, live in abject poverty. Both his mother and mother-in-law are sick and in dire need of medical attention. As at the time of this medium's visit, his pregnant wife was yet to register for antenatal care. His first son, Wisdom Essien, who sat for common entrance since last year and is due to begin Secondary school has been at home because of unavailability of cash.
The poor trader's remains according to report, had since been deposited at the mortuary. Meanwhile, his family demands justice for the unjust murder of their breadwinner. If for nothing else, for the sake of the foetus, who rather than leap for joy, weeps in the womb of the crying mother and to serve as a deterrent to others.
