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‘We’re In Benin To Fill The Gap In Transportation’ – Online Cab Provider

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The Management of UNIVASA Nigeria Limited has said that the rising needs and communication gaps between drivers and riders in the transportation sector in Benin prompted the launching of its online cab services in the city.

Dr. Ben Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer of UNIVASA Nigeria Limited who disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin at the launching of the online cab services App, noted that the purpose was to close the gaps in the city’s transportation system by letting riders book cab online at the comfort of their home without stress.

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He added that the company is offering a free tracking device on the online App for drivers to make their services more easier, stressing that the tracker belongs to the company and not the drivers.

READ ALSO: Judge’s Death Paralyses Court Proceedings In Edo

He said, unlike their competitors, UNIVASA is going to partner with all stakeholders whereby both drivers and riders are given priority, and not just riders alone as some of their competitors do.

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Boluwatife (left) and John Oyakhilome addressing cab drivers at the launching of online cab in Benin

While wondering how an online taxi provider can increase its fair without proper communication with both drivers and riders, Dr. Adeniyi noted that UNIVASA has a communication unit that runs 24 hours services on the App, adding that no action would be taken on their services without proper communication and feedback.

“After interacting with several drivers and with our earlier research, we discovered a communication gap, there’s been a poor communication with drivers and riders. We, at UNIVASA want to keep a regular communication with our drivers and our riders.

“We heard of the recent sudden hike of transportation fare, without a proper communication to all concerned. These are the lapses we have uncovered and we have come to correct here in Benin. So, we are partnering with all stakeholders to make sure we have a smooth operation and ride in Benin,” he said.

READ ALSO: GIZ Partners SEYP, Others To Empower Youths In Edo

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He disclosed that before the end of the year 2021, UNIVASA is planning to launch the online cab in the 36 states of the federation including the FCT, adding that it has already garnered 175 drivers under its service in Benin.

Also speaking, Mr John Oyakhilome, General Manager of the company said UNIVASA offers 90% earnings to all drivers while the company collects 10% of the total earnings.

A cross section of cab drivers at the launching.

He added that the online cab service provider offers bonus for drivers ranging from weekend bonus, appliances bonus, celebration bonus, smart phone bonus, insurance bonus, etc, adding that the company partners with telecommunication company in offering free data service via its Application as well.

“The healthcare insurance is not a monthly insurance but a yearly insurance. Our annual health insurance is going to be for a period. So, that means if you want to do a health insurance for your family, we will let you know the number of ride that is going to cover that amount for you in the year.

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READ ALSO: GIZ Partners SEYP, Others To Empower Youths In Edo

“We also offers free internet on UNIVASA. If you are on the App and you have Glo SIM, you don’t need to have data before you use the App. We are also looking foward to partnering with MTN and Airtel and other telecommunication providers to have a free internet App with their services.

“One beautiful thing about UNIVASA is that, when a rider book you, you don’t need to use your call card to call the rider, you can use the App to call the rider, you can likewise use the App to message the rider. All are for free on the App,” he added.

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Hotel Under Construction Collapses In Edo Kills Owner

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Tragedy struck in the Idumoza community, Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, as a hotel building under construction caved in, killing its owner, identified as Andrew Isesere.

The incident occurred last Friday while Isesere was reportedly inside the building.

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Over 20 workers who were also at the site narrowly escaped death, according to eyewitnesses.

The lifeless body of the owner was recovered from the debris on Sunday morning.

READ ALSO: Edo Assures Pensioners Of Improved Welfare, Universal Health Coverage

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Neighbours in the area expressed concern over the quality of materials used in the construction, noting that warnings had previously been issued to the deceased.

Andrew Inegbebor, a resident who spoke to reporters, said, “The owner was told he was using low quality material. He used 12mm instead of 16mm rods for the pillars. There was no base basket at the pillars. Look at the result.”

“The building collapsed because of substandard materials that were used. There was no engineer on site. The dead owner supervised the house. The house later collapsed and killed him , but some workers escaped,” he added.

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At the time of filing this report, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said that he had not received a briefing on the incident.

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Police Arrest Stolen Phone Tracker-altering Gang In Imo

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The Imo State Police Command has dismantled a cult gang that specialised in phone theft, burglary, and altering the tracking device of phones in Eziobodo, in the Owerri West Local Government Area.

This is even as the Command has arrested several people linked to various phone robberies within the Owerri federal constituency.

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Police spokesperson for Imo State command, DSP Henry Okoye, made the disclosure on Saturday morning.

Okoye disclosed that following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop was burgled on July 11th, 2025, within Eziobodo, operatives of the Anti-Vice commenced an investigation that led to the arrest of a suspect with four brand new but stolen phones.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Fleeing Anambra Suspected Kidnapper In Kaduna

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Intense investigation led the Police to the principal burglar behind the robbery and another accomplice who specialised in altering phone IMEI, which blocks the tracking of such phones.

Okoye said, “Following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop in Eziobodo was burgled on 11th July 2025, operatives of the Anti-Vice Unit arrested a suspect in possession of four brand-new stolen phones. Investigations led to the arrest of the principal burglar and another accomplice who specialised in altering phone IMEI numbers to evade tracking”.

He disclosed that all the suspects arrested are currently in custody, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

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Okoye said in another development, operatives of the Orji Police Station on July 31st, 2025, at about 9pm (2100hrs) arrested one Ernest Nweke ‘m’ at Bishop’s Court roundabout, in the Owerri North LGA, following a distress call from concerned citizens.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Abduct Other In Imo

The suspect, who is a native of Umuoji in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State but resident in the World Bank area of Owerri, was arrested with a locally fabricated pistol after he and three others allegedly robbed one Emmanuel FearGod ‘m’ of Fountain of Knowledge Hostel.

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Okoye said, “Nweke, who confessed to being a member of the Vikings cult group, was identified by the victim and arrested while the others fled. Based on his confession, four other suspects: Chamberlain Prince, Akujuobi Godwin, Ugwuelu Joseph, and Frederick Chigozie were arrested the next morning and also confessed to the crime. All suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be duly prosecuted in court”.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has commended the officers for their swift action and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to fight crime.

The Police boss urged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or through 0803 477 3600.

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Police Arrest Fleeing Anambra Suspected Kidnapper In Kaduna

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The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, John Chinagorom, who is said to have been on the Command’s wanted list.

A statement released on Saturday by the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was arrested in Zaria, Kaduna State, with the assistance of the Kaduna State Police Command.

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Ikenga said his arrest followed a credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ozubulu Police Division on August 1, that the suspect, who is linked to a kidnapping case in Anambra, was sighted at PZ Park Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that its officers, with the assistance of the Kaduna State Police Command, have arrested John Chinagorom ‘M’, a suspected kidnapper, who has been on the Command’s wanted list.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Two Cultists, Recover Ammunition In A’Ibom Hotel

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This follows a credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ozubulu Police Division at noon of 1st August 2025, that the suspect, John Chinagorom, who is linked to a kidnapping Case reported on 15th April 2025, was sighted at PZ Park Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.

“Acting swiftly on the information, a team of Police detectives from the Division was dispatched, and they successfully apprehended the suspect at his hideout in Zaria, with the assistance of officers of the Kaduna State Police Command.

“The suspect is currently in custody and is assisting the Police in the ongoing investigation.”

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READ ALSO:Policeman Rejects N800,000 Bribe To Free Robbery Suspect In A’Ibom

He urged the general public to remain calm, assuring them that the security situation in the state is under control as joint security patrols and other crime prevention operations are ongoing.

“Meanwhile, the general security situation across other parts of the State remains calm, as counter-terrorism and other crime prevention operations continue.

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“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” he added.

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