…drivers, traders lament reign of terror, endless harassment, extortion, intimidation

The simmering tension in Edo State reached a boiling point on Monday as transporters and traders in the State took to the streets to protest alleged harassment, intimidation, and extortion by thugs said to be under the payroll of the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

The protesters decried that motor parks, major bus stops, junctions, and markets across the State have become battlegrounds as thugs loyal to Okpebholo continue to impose illegal levies, assault, and brutalize their members on a daily basis without restraint.

The protest which caused heavy gridlock along the Oluku axis of Benin City, leaving many commuters and road users stranded in the early hours of Monday, saw the transporters and others chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Say No To Illegal Revenue Collection from Thugs/Agberos,” “Stop the Extortion and Harassment on Drivers in Edo State,” and “Okpebholo, Call Your Thugs to Order,” among others.

In what they termed ‘unbearable oppression’ and ‘return of the reign of terror,’ the protesters accused the state government of enabling these thugs who with confidence act with impunity, threatening to maim and humiliate anyone who stands in their way.

One of the protesters, a commercial bus driver identified as Edosa Omoruyi, lamented the incessant extortion and harassment of commercial bus drivers at various motor parks and bus stops across the State by thugs under the protection of the State Government.

He said, “Every day, we are forced to pay these illegal levies by these thugs. If you refuse, they beat you up, destroy your vehicle, and threaten to maim you. We can no longer endure this.

“We thought we had gone past this era of reign of terror but it seems like we have fully returned to the system of governance by the dangerous lions and tigers who feed off the resources and sweat of others while beating, harassing, and intimidating them. We are tired of this endless humiliation and have decided to take to the streets to express our displeasure.”

A stranded commuter, who simply identified himself as Osazuwa, expressed support for the protesters, condemning the government’s use of thugs to harass and exploit the drivers. He stated, “What they are facing is inhumane. It has a direct impact on the price of transportation with the passengers having to pay more. This is wickedness and the government needs to listen to them and address these issues urgently.”

“These thugs invade our markets, demand outrageous levies, and if you can’t pay, they seize your goods. We are mothers and have our various families to cater for. But daily, we are unable to do so because these thugs continue to exploit and extort us, beating and harassing anyone who dares to complain,” a market trader, told our correspondent.

The protesters however threatened to intensify their protests and shut down major roads and economic activities in the state if nothing was immediately done to end the violence and extortion of their members.