Metro

Tipper Drivers Block Major Routes In Benin, Protest Killing Of Colleague By DSS [PHOTOS]

Published

3 years ago

January 18, 2022

Tipper Drivers Block Major Routes In Benin, Protest Killing Of Colleague By DSS [PHOTOS]

The ancient city of Benin was thrown into confusion on Tuesday as tipper drivers in their hundreds blocked major roads, protesting the killing of one of their members by personnel of the Department of State Security. (DSS)

The blockade which was still on as at the time of filing this report, subjected residents going to Sapele Road and the GRA axis to trek far distance to beat the blockade before they could get vehicle going to their destinations.

The DSS operatives were said to be in two cars moving to theTipper Garage, Ikpoba Slope on one way traffic owing to an articulated vehicle which blocked the other lane.

While the tipper drivers were trying to regulate the traffic, unknown to them the second vehicle (Audi) was also occupied by DSS operatives.

According to Comrade Austin Uhuagho, Chairman of the Tipper Driver Association, Edo State, the DSS operatives were coming from an operation and when they saw that the road was blocked, they took one way and when the drivers identified the first vehicle as one occupied by the operatives, they allowed them to go, and asked an unmarked Audi to go back, this made the operatives to get angry and on getting down, they unleashed terror on the drivers and shot one dead there.

“This morning, there was traffic, and as usual when there is traffic, our people make sure the road is free, so the DSS vehicles were passing one way, so when the drivers found out they were DSS operatives, they asked the cars to pass, so the second one that was (an Audi) was refused passage and they asked him to go back, not knowing that it was them (DSS) that was inside the Audi.

“The drivers thinking that the car was a passenger car asked him to go back. The operative came out from the vehicle and punched the driver on the face, and his was face was covered with blood, and there he was shot dead, so when the drivers saw that their person was down they went mad, at the process, and that made the operatives to call for reinforcement, and when they came they started shooting randomly at everybody in our office, this made many to be injured,” he said.

The drivers took hundreds of their tippers to the DSS office blocking the entrance where the State Police Command and other security agencies are situated in Benin

Reacting, the Department of State Services (DSS) said the Service in a bid to free arrested kidnappers in Ikpoba Slope in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, were confronted by some hoodlums who wanted to free the kidnappers.

“We arrested three of their men who are involved in kidnapping and they decided to lay siege on us at the popular Tipper Garage by the Tenboga Junction to free them.

“The hoodlums, upon sighting the DSS operatives, pounced on them with guns and various dangerous weapons, at the process, our operatives sustained vary degrees of injuries from the attack while their vehicles were also damaged,” the source said.

Related Topics:#Benin DSS Tipper Drivers

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Metro

Human Trafficking: Police Rescue 40 Ghanaians, Arrest Three In Ondo

Published

3 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command says it has successfully rescued one David Angerinya, and 39 other Ghanaian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria under false pretences.

This is contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Akure by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade.

Ayanlade said that the victims were rescued through the operatives of Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS), Akure, while three suspects were arrested.

He said the operation followed a formal petition forwarded through the Interpol Liaison Office, Force Headquarters Abuja, requesting urgent police intervention over a case of transnational human trafficking involving a Ghanaian citizen.

The spokesperson explained that the victim, David Angerinya, was allegedly lured to Nigeria in 2024 with the promise of employment by an unidentified associate.

“Acting swiftly on the report, detectives from the TIRS, led by DSP Lekan Alabi, commenced a targeted investigation

“Subsequently, three principal suspects identified as Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex and Kojo Felix were apprehended, while the victim was successfully rescued during the operation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are part of a larger transnational trafficking syndicate that specialise in deceiving unsuspecting individuals, particularly from neighboring West African countries.

“The victims travelled to Nigeria with false assurances of lucrative job opportunities and visa arrangements to Canada and other Western nations,” he said.

Ayanlade also explained that “39 other Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same network.”

According to him, many of them were found without valid travel documents, while those who had, presented expired ones.

“All arrested suspects are currently in police custody and are cooperating with ongoing investigations.

“Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the owners and caretakers of the buildings where the victims were harboured.

“The building owners and caretakers may have had knowledge of, or directly facilitated the illegal activities of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Adebowale Lawal, has reiterated the unwavering commitment of the command to combating human trafficking and all forms of transnational organised crime.

“The CP urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency contact lines,” Ayanlade said.

(NAN)

Metro

Fuel Station Manager, Three Others Arrested For Robbery

Published

3 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

The Lagos Police Command has arrested four suspects, including the manager of a fuel station, for allegedly being part of a gang of armed robbers terrorising some areas in the state.

A police source told The PUNCH that the suspects, identified as Noble Saint Neokoro (44) Batomie Samson (48) Abubakar Ali (47) and Bitrus Ibrahim (42) were apprehended in the Ejigbo area of the state.

The source added that their arrest followed a tip-off and discreet investigation by the police.

“The manager of the filling station is among the arrested suspects, while the owner of the station is said to be unaware of the alleged criminal activities. The suspects have allegedly confessed to being a gang of armed robbers,” the source disclosed.

When contacted, the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development.

He said, “The operation was carried out by the Tactical Squad Hawk of the command. Four suspects were arrested including a fuel station manager. The owner of the fuel station denied knowledge of their activities. NUPENG also played a vital role in apprehending the manager.”

Hundeyin, however, added that the operation was a follow-up to the arrest of a notorious gang specialised in hijacking fuel and goods trucks in the state.

The command on June 28 confirmed that seven suspects were nabbed while a fuel tanker loaded with stolen Premium Motor Spirit was recovered.

The driver of the hijacked tanker was said to have reported the incident at the Surulere Police Division.

“Swift police response and discreet investigation led to the recovery of the tanker, which was found empty at Orile, and the arrest of the suspects at a filling station in Ejigbo, where the stolen fuel was being offloaded.

“The suspects, identified as Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, Kayode Falodun, Ojo Ayodele, Ayomide Thompson, Ahmed Saliu, Igbalaye Kareem, and Babatunde Ahmed, are currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations. A fuel tanker used to transport the stolen fuel has also been recovered as an exhibit,” a statement by Hundeyin read.

The police image maker added that the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their diligence and assured Lagosians of the command’s commitment to ensuring safety of lives and property.

“He encouraged citizens to continue providing timely information to aid police efforts in maintaining security across the state. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Defilement Of Underage Girl In Osun

Published

3 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Osun State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of an Islamic cleric, identified simply as Kadiri, for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a minor in Ede, Osun State.

The incident that occurred at Babasanya-Araka Ede led to a protest by an angry mob, who had attacked the suspect after he was seized.

The command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, while speaking with The PUNCH, said police operatives were deployed to the scene after the matter was reported.

“The matter was reported, and we deployed operatives to the scene. When our men got to the scene, the Amotekun men who arrested him handed him over to us.

“So, he is in our custody already. But we want the Division to investigate before the matter is transferred to SCID.

“That is all that is available for now,” Ojelabi said.

Amotekun spokesperson, Idowu Yusuf, while giving more information about the incident, said, “The suspect is an Imam of a mosque.

“He also has an Arabic school in the area where he is teaching students Arabic. Further investigation is being done by the police.”

On how the suspect was arrested, a resident of Babasanya-Araka, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said the victim was discovered bleeding, prompting her mother to inquire from her what had happened as she had gone missing a few hours earlier.

“The victim, about 8 years old, was missing for some hours on Saturday, and her mother was already looking for her.

“When she was found, she was crying and bleeding.

“She was taken to the hospital in Ede, where she was checked,” the resident said.
(PUNCH)