Edo police detain man for threatening doctor after wife’s death
The Edo State Police Command has taken Mr. Owegie Christopher into custody following allegations of assaulting and threatening to kill Dr. Osaretin Asemota of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in the wake of his wife’s demise at the health institution.
SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the Public Relations Officer of the command, revealed this development in a statement released to journalists in Benin City on Sunday.
According to Nwabuzor, the detention of Mr. Owegie Christopher was a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring his safety and preventing him from engaging in harmful behavior, such as suicide or inflicting harm on himself or others, due to the anguish of losing his wife.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, April 6, 2024, following the death of Christopher’s wife, who had been admitted to UBTH in a coma.
Detailing the events, Nwabuzor explained that Christopher had taken his wife to UBTH for treatment, where she was attended to by Dr. Osaretin Asemota. Despite the doctor’s efforts to stabilise her condition, the woman succumbed to her illness while under treatment and was pronounced dead by Dr. Asemota.
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The news of his wife’s passing allegedly incensed Christopher, leading him to confront and assault Dr. Asemota, accusing him of deceit and blaming him for the expensive medicines prescribed for his wife. Christopher purportedly threatened to make the doctor endure the same suffering he experienced.
Fortunately, hospital staff and security personnel intervened, rescuing Dr. Asemota from further harm. He subsequently reported the assault to the Ugbowo Police Divisional Headquarters in Benin City.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer took statements from both parties involved.
Christopher was initially apprehended by hospital security and later counselled for approximately an hour before being unconditionally released to return home with his family and friends.
Nwabuzor emphasized the importance of Christopher’s detention, citing the need to address any negative thoughts or impulses arising from the emotional distress of losing his wife.
Meanwhile, the state police command has appealed to members of the Association of Residents Doctors of UBTH, who had threatened industrial action in response to the assault on their colleague, to reconsider their stance.
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