From Ebohon Joan
There was tension at Third Junction, Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday following a reported clash between officers of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and personnel of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA).
The incident, which occurred around 3:00 p.m. at the First Junction along Sakponba Road, reportedly left at least one EDSTMA official injured and caused panic among motorists, pedestrians, traders and other residents in the area.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as Ezekiel Obi, said the confrontation reportedly escalated into gunshots, forcing people around the busy junction to flee in different directions for safety.
Obi described the situation as frightening, particularly because of the large number of people in the area at the time.
According to him, motorists and pedestrians hurried away from the scene amid fears that stray bullets could hit innocent members of the public.
The immediate cause of the confrontation could not be independently established as of the time of filing this report.
An argument between personnel of the two agencies reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation before firearms were allegedly discharged.
The incident disrupted movement and commercial activities around the junction for some time, as motorists and pedestrians avoided the immediate area.
A resident identified simply as Obaze expressed concern over what he described as the increasingly aggressive approach allegedly adopted by some personnel of specialised police units during operations.
Obaze claimed that similar incidents involving what he described as a “commando-style” approach had occurred in the past, urging relevant authorities to ensure that security operations did not put members of the public at unnecessary risk.
He stressed that while security agencies have a responsibility to maintain law and order, their operations should also prioritise the safety of residents, motorists and other road users.
The Edo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, was yet to comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
