…Police smash 3-man robbery Gang
By Okhide Em’ya David
Celebration of new year 2021 turned soured in the mouths of some celebrants on Friday in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria when a commercial bus (tuke tuke) driver was gruesomely murdered by unknown persons.
The “Tuke Tuke” bus driver was killed along Siluko road near Oliha market while the auto mechanic met his untimely death at his workshop, located at Osasogie street, off Oguola/Artillery road, while
attending to his customers.
Whereas the driver of the commercial bus who plied Sapele road route in Benin City was yet to be identified as at the time of filling this report the name of the slain mechanic was given as Emmanuel Michael.
The unknown assailants were reported to have entered the “Tuke Tuke bus from King Ovonranmwen Square, popularly called “Ring Road” in the state capital and diverted the driver to Siluko road at gunpoint.
Immediately they passed the former Ovator Cinema house at Siluko road, the hoodlums used a battle axe on him before he was finally shot to dead.
Some Commuters who volunteered information said the commercial bus had its “full headlights on when it zoomed past them adding that some persons were also dragging the steering with the driver.”
They said, they suddenly heard gunshots which scared many of them and they scampered for safety.
Their words: “a moment after, some young boys came out and entered another vehicle and fled the scene, leaving their victim in the pool of his own Blood.”
The deceased was still sitting on the driver’s seat with his head completely battered.
As at 10:23 am on January 1, 2021, the lifeless body of the deceased was still inside the bus.
Gun-wielding men were said to have stormed the mechanic shop of Mr. Emmanuel Michael at about 6 pm on Wednesday December 30, 2020 shooting sporadically into the air to scare off resistance before firing their target at close range.
A witness said upon noticing that he was their target, the assailants immediately went straight to the said Emmanuel Michael and fired several gunshots into his head, killing him on the spot.
The gunmen later went berserk in the area as they were said to have engaged in a manhunt looking for more persons to kill.
The situation forced the residents to flee the area while owners of shops quickly locked up and fled.
It took the intervention of the Edo State Joint Security Team to restore normalcy to the area.
Hours later, according to reports, adjoining streets of Oguola street, Eghosa and Osasogie were like ghost towns as the traumatized residents were yet to regain their confidence and move freely.
Vehicles coming to the area diverted to other streets to avoid being hit by stray bullets as the State Police Command swiftly deployed more men and officials to the troubled spot.
It would be recalled that a carpenter, alias Papa Mali was on Tuesday afternoon shot to death by some unknown gunmen at Okabere Road, Upper Sakponba as another middle-aged man suffered the same fate in the hands of persons suspected to be members of a secret cult group in Aragua street, off Wire road in Benin city.
Meanwhile, a 3-man armed robbery gang, consisting of Junior Ojo, Destiny Etu and Itose Osayande, who have been on the police wanted list for the past months has been smashed by the Police in Benin.
Investigations revealed that the suspects belong to an alleged gang of armed robbers terrorizing Abehe, Lagos street, Ibiwe, Aragua, Iwehen, Wire road and environs, all in Benin city, Edo state.
Motorists and Commuters around the King’s Square and environs have become prey to these hoodlums.
They also usually attack those returning from church along mission road where they seize mobile phones, money and other personal items of their victims at gun points.
It was gathered that all the three suspects take Kings square and Iyaro in Benin city as their home hence they sleep and wake up in these areas.
It was further revealed that the various alleged armed robbery attacks were coordinated from their hideouts in the King’s Square area in Benin city.
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said, in his comments on the surging crime wave that the state will continue to remain uncomfortable for criminals to operate.
He said the police are now in various strategic locations in Benin city and environs.
