The Edo State Police Command on Monday said it has arrested a suspected internet fraudster, otherwise known as a ‘Yahoo boy’, who crashed his Mercedes-Benz saloon car into traders at New Market in Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday.

The Command Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, said three traders were reportedly injured in the accident, while many narrowly escaped death.

In a message on Monday, Yamu said, “No death was recorded. Three people who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment.

“Meanwhile, the reckless driver is under detention,” he added.

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However, a trader who identified herself as Sandra Osaro said the crash occurred on Sunday, adding that the vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz marked: “Lagos LND 192 JZ”.

She stated that the car was on top speed and coming from the Sakponba Road axis of the Second East Circular Road when the driver lost control and crashed into traders in the market.

She expressed sadness that some traders were injured in the accident and noted that it could have resulted in severe fatalities if the crash had occurred on Tuesday or Thursday.

She said, “This market is renowned for wholesale and retail trading in second-hand clothes and shoes.

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“People from within and outside the state usually come here to buy and sell on Tuesday and Thursday because that is the day traders open their bales of clothes.

“Due to large numbers of people and traders, the road sides are usually used for buying and selling.”

Also, who identified herself as Mama Ivie, said she escaped death by the whisker while expressing gratitude to God.

She said she had recently survived a fatal accident, which, according to her, claimed lives.

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She noted, “I went to church today (Sunday) for my Thanksgiving, having survived a fatal accident.

“After the close of service, I decided to come to the market to open for business.

“I was just approaching by stand when this accident occurred right before my eyes. The vehicle destroyed my stand and tables,” she added.

The family of Abubakar Yaqub, Chief Imam of the Kuchibuyi community in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, is in mourning after his son, Attahiru Abubakar, was allegedly shot dead by police officers during a land dispute in the area on Saturday.

It was gathered that Attahiru died instantly after being hit by a police bullet, while his elder brother, Abass, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently battling for his life at a hospital.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement released Saturday, had stated that the police were responding to a civil disturbance in the area.

According to her, “The FCT Police Command received a distress call regarding a civil unrest incident stemming from a land dispute at Kuchibuyi community under Byazin Division.

“The Divisional Police Officers of Byazin and Kubwa swiftly mobilised to the scene and brought the situation under control. Arrests have been made, and the investigation is currently ongoing.”

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Adeh stressed that the conflict was not instigated by the police, saying, “It is important to clarify that the issue is a communal dispute and not in any way related to the police.”

She also quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, as saying, “The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns the actions of youths attacking police officers who were on a mission to restore law and order.

“Such behaviour will not be condoned, and firm action will be taken against anyone who attacks police or other security personnel responding to distress calls.”

However, members of the Kuchibuyi community have contested the police account, claiming that the incident involved indiscriminate shooting by the officers that resulted in the fatality and injuries, which the official statement failed to acknowledge.

Speaking to The PUNCH, the deceased’s brother, Sanusi Abubakar, said their father, the Chief Imam, was also shot during the incident.

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He accused the police of acting on the orders of an estate manager attempting to forcibly grab community land.

He said, “There was one estate manager who wanted to take over a large portion of the community land without our knowledge. He arrived with some soldiers and vigilantes.

“Later, he called the police. After some boys blocked the road during the standoff, and it was seemingly resolved, police officers and the task force returned and started shooting at residents.

“My brother, Attahiru, was shot dead on the spot. My second brother, Abass, was also hit and is in the hospital. Our father, the Chief Imam, was also shot.”

A resident who witnessed the incident but requested anonymity for fear of victimisation corroborated Sanusi’s account in a chat with The PUNCH.

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“The police lied in their statement. They didn’t mention that three people were shot—two sons of the Chief Imam and the Imam himself. Attahiru died instantly from a gunshot to the chest while his brother is in the hospital in Bwari.

“After that, the police arrested about six young men they saw on sight. What happened yesterday (Saturday) was frightening, and they’re trying to cover it up. That same estate manager brought soldiers to the community just two days earlier.”

Photos seen by The PUNCH showed Attahiru’s lifeless body with a gunshot wound in the upper left chest, and another image displayed his body wrapped in cloth after the incident.

When contacted again on Sunday for clarification on why the statement didn’t mention the shooting and fatality, police spokesperson Adeh simply referred PUNCH Metro to her initial release and did not respond to further enquiries.

Attahiru’s death adds to the growing list of Nigerians, including women and youths, who have lost their lives in alleged incidents of police brutality.

A 27-year-old Nigerien, Aliyu Salisu, was rescued from a three-storey building that collapsed on Saturday in the Lifecamp area of Abuja.

While several other persons escaped, Salisu was trapped under the rubble for 10 hours before he was rescued.

Confirming the rescue in a statement on Sunday, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said Salisu was successfully pulled out of the debris at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday.

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She said he was taken to Cedar Crest Hospital in Gudu, where he is currently receiving medical attention and is reportedly responding to treatment.

Adeh said, “On August 2, 2025, at approximately 6:15 PM, the FCT Police Command received a distress call reporting the collapse of a three-storey building in the Lifecamp area of Abuja. Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Lifecamp Division, promptly mobilised a rescue team to the scene, cordoned off the area, and commenced a coordinated rescue operation in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration Development Control Department, Zeberced Construction Company.

“At about 4:00 AM on August 3, 2025, rescue teams successfully extricated Aliyu Salisu, a 27-year-old male and citizen of the Niger Republic, the lone victim who had remained trapped in the rubble for close to 10 hours of a lifesaving operation. He was immediately rushed to the Cedar Crest Hospital, Gudu, for medical evaluation and comprehensive medical care. He’s currently responding to treatment.”

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She said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, who was present at the scene, commended the swift and professional response of all agencies involved in the operation.

Adeh also urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report emergencies or suspicious activities to the police control room.