Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A fatal shooting in Benin, Edo State has been linked to a dispute over park ticketing proceeds, authorities say, even as the incident continues to be investigated by security agencies.
The victim, identified as Courage — widely known in the community by the nickname “Dogo” — was shot dead on Friday morning at Eboh Quarters, Estate Gate, Irhirhi, in Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City. The incident occurred in the early hours after a disagreement over ticketing activities connected with a transport park, according to a statement by the Secretary of the Edo State Special Security Squad, John Izegaegbe.
Initial reports had prompted speculation about cult violence, but law enforcement officials have stated that the killing did not stem from cultism. Instead, preliminary investigations indicate the confrontation was rooted in a dispute over illegal park ticket operations and the sharing of proceeds, amid a backdrop of tensions surrounding a state government ban on certain ticketing practices.
According to the security squad, operatives received a distress call at about 6:13 a.m., and upon arrival, found the victim already deceased. A 9 mm Beretta pistol was used in the attack, and investigators recovered spent cartridges at the scene.
The unresolved dispute reportedly revolved around alleged failures in the proper distribution of ticketing proceeds, which in some urban areas have become a source of informal revenue outside official regulatory frameworks. Local law enforcement noted that, despite the ban on certain ticketing activities decreed by the Edo State Government, individuals involved in these operations continue to generate income, sometimes leading to conflicts when profits are perceived as mishandled or unequally shared.
Following the killing, the Edo State government directed the Special Security Squad, also known as Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, to carry out intensive operations to apprehend suspects and restore order. During these efforts, law enforcement recovered additional firearms and ammunition from an abandoned vehicle linked to the incident, though occupants escaped before they could be detained.
The violence also triggered a reprisal attack on Wire Road by individuals who mistakenly believed others were responsible for the initial shooting. Security officials emphasised that the situation remains under control and that thorough investigations are ongoing to determine all parties involved.
State authorities have appealed to the public to provide credible information that could assist in the inquiry and urged residents to refrain from speculation. Meanwhile, commissioners and police units are expected to release further updates as investigations progress.
The incident underscores tensions in urban transport networks where informal revenue streams intersect with regulatory crackdowns, occasionally resulting in violent disputes. It also highlights broader concerns about firearm proliferation in public spaces and the challenges faced by security agencies in quelling rapid‑escalation conflicts before they turn fatal.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments