Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Edo State Taskforce has arrested two persons in connection with illegal revenue collection around the Third Junction area of Benin City, in a renewed crackdown on extortion rackets that have plagued commercial drivers in the state.
The suspects, identified as Osasere Amadin and Irahbor Destiny, were taken into custody on Monday, 22nd June 2026, following intelligence reports regarding the activities of unauthorised collectors operating in the vicinity. They were later paraded before journalists at the Taskforce’s headquarters in Benin City.
Speaking to reporters, the Station Officer of the Edo State Taskforce, Rufus Johnbull, who led the operation, said his team had mounted surveillance after receiving credible information about the illegal collections.
“This morning, acting on an intelligence report, the Taskforce Commander mobilised his men to the Third Junction in Benin City. The report indicated that illegal collection was ongoing in the area as drivers were being extorted,” Mr Johnbull explained.
“We got there and mapped out surveillance, and we were able to arrest some of the people engaged in the illegal act.”
He stressed that the state government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, has imposed a total ban on revenue collections, and the Taskforce is determined to ensure that all violators are brought to justice.
“The Taskforce will intensify its efforts to ensure that the junction and other areas in the city will be free from illegal revenue collection,” he added. “The Edo State government will ensure that those who embark on illegal revenue collection across the state will not find peace until they are all arrested. We encourage drivers to go about their normal businesses, as we will do our best to ensure all perpetrators are arrested and made to face justice.”
A commercial bus driver, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal attacks, said the situation at Third Junction had become untenable. He recounted a harrowing experience in which unidentified individuals manhandled him and demanded N200. When he refused to pay, his vehicle was seized, and its whereabouts remain unknown at the time of this report.
“We pay different levies to different people. Failure to pay most times results in manhandling of drivers,” he lamented, appealing to the state government to put a more permanent mechanism in place to stop the illegal activities and allow drivers to conduct their legitimate businesses in peace.
When questioned about his involvement, one of the suspects, Irahbor Destiny, confessed to the crime, claiming he was working for a Chief Security Officer (CSO) of a local vigilante group, whom he identified as Amaosa Ogiemaye.
“Sometimes drivers willingly give us money, which we share among ourselves—vigilante members around the location,” Mr Destiny said. “The sharing formula is directed by the CSO whom I worked for.”
However, the second suspect, Osasere Amadin, denied any wrongdoing, insisting he was merely at the junction to beg for money from drivers to cover medical expenses for his sick child.
“Two drivers helped me with some money, and I was arrested in the process,” he said, adding that the cash displayed before journalists did not belong to him.
The Taskforce has vowed to sustain its operations across the state, with officials confirming that further arrests are expected as investigations continue.
