Inside Edo
Edo Security Corps operatives accused of brutal assaults, death threats in defiance of court-overturned ban
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
02 Dec 2025 04:58 AM
Benin, Edo – In a brazen display of lawlessness, operatives from the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) stormed Okabere Junction along Sapele Road on Monday, leaving a trail of fear, injuries, and confiscated vehicles in their wake.
Eyewitnesses described a "commando-style" operation that devolved into chaos, with riders beaten, dragged, and threatened all under the dubious pretext of enforcing a long-defunct ban on motorcycles and tricycles on expressways.
The incident, unfolding around midday, has ignited outrage among residents who question the corps' authority and professionalism.
At the center of the uproar is Leftist Dickson John Esq., a Benin-based human rights advocate, who claimed he was personally threatened with gunfire for challenging the officers' actions.
"My life is being threatened," John wrote in a detailed public statement
"If this can happen to me, I wonder what others go through in the hands of these power-drunk vigilante officers," he added.
The ESSC officers reportedly justified their rampage by citing a 2013 verbal pronouncement from former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who banned motorcycles (okadas) and tricycles (kekes) in key areas including Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, and parts of Ovia North East and Uhunmwonde local governments.
Oshiomhole's order, aimed at curbing crime and accidents, directed security forces to seize vehicles and prosecute riders.
However, the ban was struck down over a decade ago. In a landmark 2021 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Benin (Appeal No. CA/B/341/2014), the court declared the governor lacked the constitutional power to impose such restrictions via verbal fiat—lawmaking being the exclusive domain of the state legislature.
Despite this, John's account suggests the ESSC is clinging to the obsolete edict as a pretext for extortion, demanding "settlements" or "bail" fees to release impounded vehicles.
"This is not law enforcement; it's legalized robbery," John stated.
According to him, "Where did these vigilantes get such powers to dehumanize innocent citizens because they want money?"
The scene at Okabere Junction, quickly turned nightmarish. Officers allegedly chased riders on foot and by vehicle, forcing some to swerve dangerously as one pursuit nearly resulted in tragedy when a fleeing keke driver veered toward two schoolchildren alighting from class, scattering pedestrians in panic.
John, alerted by a distressed call from Mr. Damilola, a father en route to pick up his children from school rushed to the scene with colleague Godwin Esosa. Upon arrival, they witnessed officers shoving a bike man (likely a delivery rider) off his motorcycle, inflicting injuries before commandeering the bike and speeding away.
"They did not stop there," John recounted, noting, "One of them immediately climbed onto the bike and zoomed off, leaving the wounded rider in pain."
Damilola's tricycle was among those seized, with officers demanding a hefty "bail" sum. Similar tales echoed from other victims, mostly riders beaten for resisting, vehicles driven off without documentation, and bystanders fleeing to avoid the fray.
The Edo State Security Corps, formerly the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), was restructured in 2025 under Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration to address politicization and enhance professionalism.
Launched in June 2025 with 1,472 trained personnel, the corps, governed by the Edo State Security Corps Law 2024 aims to support police in intelligence gathering and low-level crime-fighting.
Yet, the outfit has faced persistent criticism, with Monday's events casting a shadow over the reforms.
No official statement from the ESSC or Edo State Government had emerged by press time, though John's post calls for the ESSC to produce any valid legal basis for the actions.
John frames his ordeal as part of a larger struggle, which is "The fight for an egalitarian society is a fight to finish. Justice must be served."
He vows to pursue charges of threat to life, contempt of court (for flouting the 2021 ruling), conspiracy, and conduct likely to breach the peace.
In a state retooling its security apparatus, yesterday's terror raises a stark question: Who guards the guardians?
Eyewitnesses described a "commando-style" operation that devolved into chaos, with riders beaten, dragged, and threatened all under the dubious pretext of enforcing a long-defunct ban on motorcycles and tricycles on expressways.
The incident, unfolding around midday, has ignited outrage among residents who question the corps' authority and professionalism.
At the center of the uproar is Leftist Dickson John Esq., a Benin-based human rights advocate, who claimed he was personally threatened with gunfire for challenging the officers' actions.
"My life is being threatened," John wrote in a detailed public statement
"If this can happen to me, I wonder what others go through in the hands of these power-drunk vigilante officers," he added.
The ESSC officers reportedly justified their rampage by citing a 2013 verbal pronouncement from former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who banned motorcycles (okadas) and tricycles (kekes) in key areas including Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, and parts of Ovia North East and Uhunmwonde local governments.
Oshiomhole's order, aimed at curbing crime and accidents, directed security forces to seize vehicles and prosecute riders.
However, the ban was struck down over a decade ago. In a landmark 2021 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Benin (Appeal No. CA/B/341/2014), the court declared the governor lacked the constitutional power to impose such restrictions via verbal fiat—lawmaking being the exclusive domain of the state legislature.
Despite this, John's account suggests the ESSC is clinging to the obsolete edict as a pretext for extortion, demanding "settlements" or "bail" fees to release impounded vehicles.
"This is not law enforcement; it's legalized robbery," John stated.
According to him, "Where did these vigilantes get such powers to dehumanize innocent citizens because they want money?"
The scene at Okabere Junction, quickly turned nightmarish. Officers allegedly chased riders on foot and by vehicle, forcing some to swerve dangerously as one pursuit nearly resulted in tragedy when a fleeing keke driver veered toward two schoolchildren alighting from class, scattering pedestrians in panic.
John, alerted by a distressed call from Mr. Damilola, a father en route to pick up his children from school rushed to the scene with colleague Godwin Esosa. Upon arrival, they witnessed officers shoving a bike man (likely a delivery rider) off his motorcycle, inflicting injuries before commandeering the bike and speeding away.
"They did not stop there," John recounted, noting, "One of them immediately climbed onto the bike and zoomed off, leaving the wounded rider in pain."
Damilola's tricycle was among those seized, with officers demanding a hefty "bail" sum. Similar tales echoed from other victims, mostly riders beaten for resisting, vehicles driven off without documentation, and bystanders fleeing to avoid the fray.
The Edo State Security Corps, formerly the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), was restructured in 2025 under Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration to address politicization and enhance professionalism.
Launched in June 2025 with 1,472 trained personnel, the corps, governed by the Edo State Security Corps Law 2024 aims to support police in intelligence gathering and low-level crime-fighting.
Yet, the outfit has faced persistent criticism, with Monday's events casting a shadow over the reforms.
No official statement from the ESSC or Edo State Government had emerged by press time, though John's post calls for the ESSC to produce any valid legal basis for the actions.
John frames his ordeal as part of a larger struggle, which is "The fight for an egalitarian society is a fight to finish. Justice must be served."
He vows to pursue charges of threat to life, contempt of court (for flouting the 2021 ruling), conspiracy, and conduct likely to breach the peace.
In a state retooling its security apparatus, yesterday's terror raises a stark question: Who guards the guardians?
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