Metro

Edo: Bolt, Uber Drivers Shutdown Services, Protest Over Alleged Unfair Treatment

Published

3 years ago

June 16, 2023

Editor

Benin City, the Edo State capital, was on Tuesday literally shutdown as hundreds of Bolt and Uber drivers protested what they tagged unfair treatments by their managers.

The drivers who shutdown services and protested round major streets in their large numbers, carried placards with inscriptions as: “Abolish driver’s scores; long pick up should be compensated; activate cancellation fee; bring down commission to 10%; stop enslaving drivers among others.

The protest caused gridlocks for hours in the city centre of the state.

Addressing newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State council secretariat in Benin City, one of the Bolt drivers, Chika Eric said they have been enslaved by Bolt and Uber respectively.

He said considering the economic reality, Bolt and Uber should have considered the drivers by reducing their commission to 10 percent rather than the usual 25 percent so that they could make some savings for themselves.

Eric said due to the unfair conditions which they have operated in, they decided to put their services on hold pending when their enlisted eight conditions are meant.

He listed their conditions as “reduction of the commission paid to Bolt and Uber from 25 percent to 10 percent; increase of minimum fare to N1, 000 (shortest distance); stopping of unlawful deactivation of drivers; every trip should read in traffic including the time.”

The other demands are: “Drivers’ scores should be scrapped entirely (allow the drivers to choose their rides); far distance pick up should be compensated with N300 minimum; any ride cancelled by riders after driver got to pick up location should be charged N500 and that the airport pick up and drop off should be much higher like other state.”

Responding to the protesters, the chairman, NUJ, Edo State council, Mr Festus Alenkhe commended them for their peaceful demonstration.

He urge them to put up their complaints in form of writing and address it to the Edo State House of Assembly with the view of having a round table discussion with the drivers and the managers of the Bolt and that of the Uber.

Alenkhe also urged the federal and the state governments to wade in to see how their issue can be addressed, adding that their contributions to the nation’s economy is enormous.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.