BENIN CITY-Operatives of Edo State Police Command have arrested some executive members of the Edo State Tipper Drivers Association over alleged involvement in the burning down of 10 vehicles in Ogheghe Community, Uhunwmande local government area of the state, last Wednesday.
Investigations revealed other official members of the embattled association have fled their homes and offices for fear of arrest.
Also arrested is the manager of a pit in Ogheghe Community.
Sources hinted that the suspects (names withheld) arrest followed covert investigations lunched into the incident by the police command.
The Spokesman, Edo Police Command DSP Osifo Abiodun told our reporter that those arrested are already helping investigators in their investigations.
“Some arrest have been made and anybody found culpable will be charged to court.
“The command will not tolerate impunity, will do not want lawlessness or let the state to be heated up by miscreants”. DSP Osifo stated.
He further explained that the incident was a misunderstanding between members of Edo State Tipper Drivers Association and Tipper Owners Association over collection of levies.
“We received a distressed call that members of Tipper Owners Association of Edo State and members of Tipper Drivers Association of Edo State had misunderstanding over collection of levies which led to the burning of 10 vehicles.
“We waded into the matter and made some arrest and as we speak men of the state CID are investigating the matter”. The police Spokesman disclosed.
Several visits to the Edo State Tipper Drivers Association headquarters at Ikpoba Slope, Benin City failed to produce response of the union as its members vehemently declined comment.
Contacted, the President, Edo State Tipper Owners Association Mr. Monday Enihoro stated that the vehicles burnt were hired for his members who were on a sensitization tour of pits across the state.
He explained that on their way from a pit in Ogheghe Community, some members of Edo State Tipper Drivers Association used their tippers to barricade the road as they attacked his members with dangerous weapons.
Mr Enihoro further maintained that his members who were unprepared for the attack fled their vehicles as the attackers resorted to setting their vehicles ablaze, one after another.
He however appealed to law enforcement officials, Edo State Government and relevant authorities to intervene with a view to redressing the colossal loss of property and restoring peace.
When our reporter visited the borrow-pit in Ogheghe community last Thursday, a worker who speak on condition of anonymity said the Tipper Owners Association awareness team actually visited the pit on that faithful day.
He added that the sensitization members conducted themselves peaceful just as he expressed wonder why they were attacked on their way home.
