Tipper drivers protest killing of colleague by security personnel in Benin

Angry tipper drivers protested the killing of their colleagues by security personnel alleged to be operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Benin City.

It was learned that the unfortunate incident occurred in the morning along Ikpoba-slope road by the tipping-truck garage in Benin City, the State capital.

The deceased driver was said to be in the company of some of his colleagues who had volunteered to control the early morning traffic on the road.

It was learned that trouble began when some vehicles conveying DSS operatives drove against traffic in a bid to avoid traffic jams on their right way along the dual-carriageway.

“There was a Hilux van blaring siren and driving one way… On sighting the Hilux van, the tipper drivers controlling the traffic allowed the vehicle to move on because there were security operatives inside.

“After the Hilux van, one other Audi car drove behind; and the drivers controlling the traffic attempted to accost it to use the right way;  unknown to them that the car was also conveying plain-clothes operatives.

“And before a blink of an eye, the DSS operatives opened fire which resulted in the death of a tipper driver.

“They (DSS) thereafter arrested three traffic control volunteers and also took the body of the deceased driver away.” An eye witness Osaghe stated.

The development caused heavy gridlock in the Benin metropolis as other drivers protested the death of their colleagues.

Repeated gunshots were heard at the DSS office in Benin City as the protesting drivers marched towards the facility.

The operatives are yet to respond to inquiries over the incident.

However, a source in the DSS denied the allegation.

The source said the hoodlums got a tip-off that the DSS operatives have arrested three of their men who are involved in kidnapping and decided to lay siege on them by the popular Tipper Garage by the Tenboga Junction to free them.

The source said the hoodlums, upon sighting the DSS operatives, pounced on them with guns and various dangerous weapons.

The DSS source said its operatives sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack while their vehicles were also damaged.

It was also said that one of the hoodlums was hit by the bullets of the DSS resulting in his death.

The source said three of the suspected kidnappers were eventually arrested and are cooling off in their custody.