Inside Edo
Edo security corps releases seized motorcycles after activists invoke Appeal Court ruling
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
03 Dec 2025 04:44 AM
Benin, Edo – Operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, Sapele Road Sector Command, on Tuesday unconditionally released dozens of motorcycles and at least one tricycle they had impounded from commercial riders, following the intervention of human-rights lawyer Leftist Dickson John Esq and other activists.
The release came hours after the activists stormed the command’s office armed with a certified true copy of an Appeal Court judgment that declared the seizure of motorcycles for plying restricted roads unlawful in Edo State.
Eyewitnesses and affected riders told DAILY South Nigeria that operatives had been arresting okada (motorcycle) riders on Sapele Road and other expressways, impounding their bikes, and demanding between ₦7,000 and ₦10,000 as “bail” or release fees despite the subsisting court ruling.
Many riders who could not pay the extortionate fees had their motorcycles detained for days, leaving them unable to feed their families or meet daily financial targets.
During the confrontation, the sector’s Public Relations Officer claimed the impoundments were carried out by operatives acting without official authorisation and pleaded for the matter to be handled internally rather than reported to the police.
After prolonged negotiations, the command agreed to immediately release all detained motorcycles and the tricycle without any payment; drop demands for “bail” money already collected from some riders (no refunds were offered during the visit).
The activists had initially demanded monetary compensation for lost income, full details of the erring operatives for possible prosecution, and disclosure of any law still authorising seizures after the Appeal Court judgment.
While those demands were not met on the spot, the command promised to investigate internally and contact the activists when the Sector Commander returns.
Leftist Dickson John Esq described the operatives’ actions as “devilish, barbaric and an infringement of fundamental human rights,” vowing continued struggle until such abuses stop across the state.
As of press time, commercial riders whose bikes were released expressed relief but called on the Edo State Government to sanction erring operatives of the security corps to prevent further extortion.
The release came hours after the activists stormed the command’s office armed with a certified true copy of an Appeal Court judgment that declared the seizure of motorcycles for plying restricted roads unlawful in Edo State.
Eyewitnesses and affected riders told DAILY South Nigeria that operatives had been arresting okada (motorcycle) riders on Sapele Road and other expressways, impounding their bikes, and demanding between ₦7,000 and ₦10,000 as “bail” or release fees despite the subsisting court ruling.
Many riders who could not pay the extortionate fees had their motorcycles detained for days, leaving them unable to feed their families or meet daily financial targets.
During the confrontation, the sector’s Public Relations Officer claimed the impoundments were carried out by operatives acting without official authorisation and pleaded for the matter to be handled internally rather than reported to the police.
After prolonged negotiations, the command agreed to immediately release all detained motorcycles and the tricycle without any payment; drop demands for “bail” money already collected from some riders (no refunds were offered during the visit).
The activists had initially demanded monetary compensation for lost income, full details of the erring operatives for possible prosecution, and disclosure of any law still authorising seizures after the Appeal Court judgment.
While those demands were not met on the spot, the command promised to investigate internally and contact the activists when the Sector Commander returns.
Leftist Dickson John Esq described the operatives’ actions as “devilish, barbaric and an infringement of fundamental human rights,” vowing continued struggle until such abuses stop across the state.
As of press time, commercial riders whose bikes were released expressed relief but called on the Edo State Government to sanction erring operatives of the security corps to prevent further extortion.
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