Tricycle Parts Dealer, Police Officer Shot As Youths Suspected to be Internet Fraudsters Protest Over Alleged Harassment in Edo
By Simeon OSAJIE
A middle aged tricycle spare parts dealer identified as Lucky Akoda (40yrs) and a police officer were today cut in a web of violent protest by some irate youths suspected to be internet fraudsters popularly called “Yahoo Boys” in Ishior axis of Benin-Lagos road in Ovia North-East Local Government Council Area of Edo State.
The tricycle spare parts dealer, Mr. Lucky Akoda, whose shop is along to the Benin- Ugbowo-Lagos road, the scene of the protest was reportedly hit by a stray bullet, while a police officer attacked during the violence by the youths.
It was gathered that the irate youths suspected to be internet fraudsters popularly called “Yahoo Boys” allegedly attacked a police officer during the protest.
It was learnt that the protesters vandalised a security van conveying officers suspected to be vigilante group at the Isihor axis of the Ugbowo-Lagos road.
According to a source, the irate youths suspected to be internet fraudsters popularly called “Yahoo Boys” had embarked on a protest over alleged security agencies harassment and intimidation in their locality.
The source said that trouble started when some officers and EFCC officials raided the locality on Monday night.
The protesters, mainly young boys, took to the streets today and caused tension in the area, leading to police intervention and the shooting.
According to the source, the youths went violent and destroyed a vehicle belonging to the security agent.
He said one Tricycle spare parts dealer who opened for business today morning was hit by a stray bullet when he was closing the shop and running to avoid the violence.
The source said the Tricycle spare parts dealer and the police officer, who were victims of the violence were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical attention.
However, wife of the tricycle spare parts dealer, Mrs. Benedicta Akoda, was informed that her husband was rushed to UBTH after a stray bullet hit him.
The source told The9jaTREND that when Benedicta, the victim’s wife, visited her husband at the hospital, the Police had chained/handcuffed her husband and victim of the protest to his sick bed, apparently holding him as a suspect following the protest.
She lamented that it was unfair for a man who was hit by stray bullet and good Samaritan who rushed the husband to the hospital be arrested while being save by doctors at the UBTH.
“The man who was hit by stray bullet is now being held on his hospital bed where he is receiving medical attention over a protest he had no knowledge about.
“His wife, Benedicta, has been pleading with the police and Nigerians to save her husband from dying. The man is a good Nigerian doing his legitimate business as a tricycle spare parts dealer in the locality. He is not into internet fraud popularly called “Yahoo Boys” or involved in the protest by the youths,” the source said.
