Benin taskforce under fire As brush- party chase injures Dr Akenzua two others,Commissioner vows to fish out fleeing taskforce men, denies extortion, sex-for-favour allegations

Benin taskforce under fire As brush- party chase injures Dr Akenzua two others,Commissioner vows to fish out fleeing taskforce men, denies extortion, sex-for-favour allegations

A popular Benin scholar and Journalist Dr. Owen Akenzua on Monday narrowly escaped death after a commercial bus driver fleeing men of the state taskforce rammed into him and two other commuters on Mission Road, Benin City

The incident occurred when the driver, who was alleged to have violated traffic rules, refused to “settle” operatives of the taskforce popularly called “Okpebholo Police” and zoomed off at top speed.

Eyewitnesses said the taskforce men immediately gave chase. In the process, the driver lost control around Mission Road and rammed into Akenzua and two young men who were waiting for a bus.

Sources said Dr. Akenzua sighted the speeding vehicle and in a bid to escape, fell into a gutter. He sustained facial injuries from broken glasses.

The two other young men were not so lucky. They suffered broken legs and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

As at the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the driver was unknown while the taskforce operatives had also disappeared* from the scene.

The State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Saturday Uwuilakhue, in a swift reaction, said the ministry would fish out the fleeing taskforce men.

He sympathized with Dr. Akenzua and the other victims, and assured that those found culpable would face disciplinary action.

The incident has again thrown up allegations against the state taskforce on illegal parking and traffic enforcement in Benin City.

Residents alleged that the operatives have wreaked countless incidents while pursuing commercial drivers, often over refusal to pay bribes.

“Their modus operandi is to descend on traders by the roadside and commercial drivers, extort money from them, or in the case of girls, demand sex for commensurate,”a trader who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged.

The group was also accused of intimidation, harassment and fraudulent activities against market women and commuters.

However, Commissioner Uwuilakhue denied knowledge of such acts.

Whoever is caught among the taskforce men engaging in extortion or any fraudulent activity will be summarily dismissed,”he said.

He urged victims to report any misconduct to the ministry for immediate action.