A dispute over illegal park ticketing has turned deadly in Edo State, with a man identified as Courage, popularly known as “Dogo,” shot dead in Benin City, sparking a sweeping security crackdown that uncovered firearms and led to multiple arrests.
The killing occurred at Eboh Quarters, Estate Gate, Irhirhi in Oredo Local Government Area, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting swift intervention by the Edo State Special Security Squad.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary of the security outfit, John Izegaegbe, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, that the governor had ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder.
Izegaegbe revealed that the squad received a distress call at about 6:13 a.m. on Friday reporting a killing in the area. Upon arrival, operatives confirmed that the victim had been shot dead.
He clarified that, contrary to initial speculation, the incident was not cult-related but stemmed from a dispute linked to park ticketing activities, which have been outlawed by the State government.
According to preliminary findings, the deceased was allegedly involved in illegal ticketing operations and had been accused of failing to properly share proceeds, a disagreement that reportedly escalated into a conspiracy culminating in his killing.
Investigators recovered spent cartridges at the scene and confirmed that a 9mm Beretta pistol was used in the attack.
The incident further triggered a reprisal assault along Wire Road by individuals who reportedly acted on mistaken assumptions about those responsible for the killing, raising tensions across parts of the city.
“Following the incident, the Governor gave us a marching order to get to the root of the matter,” Izegaegbe said, adding that intensive operations were carried out across the metropolis over the weekend.
He noted that several suspects have been arrested and are currently providing useful information that could lead to further arrests, as security agencies widen their dragnet.
During the operations, security personnel also made a significant recovery in Irhirhi, off Airport Road, where firearms were discovered in an abandoned vehicle.
“We moved into town as early as 6 a.m. and combed the length and breadth of Benin metropolis. For the first time, we recovered a K2 Army magazine loaded with live ammunition inside a vehicle. All occupants fled, but we recovered the vehicle and the K2 magazine,” he said.
Authorities insist that investigations are ongoing and have urged residents to remain calm, assuring that those behind the killing will be brought to justice.
