UDO (EDO STATE) – Economic, social and academic activities were paralyzed for several hours in Udo community and its adjoining villages in Ovia South West local government area of Edo State when youths took to the streets protesting the shooting of their kinsman by a soldier.
Fire made with disused tyres and woods was set at different spots on the major road connecting Udo-Ukomu, Udo-Iguelaiho, Udo-Inikorokha, Udo-Iguobazuwa and other villages in the area witnessed unusual disrupted vehicular movement while the protest lasted.
Traders could not easily access the popular Udo community market as the rampage coincided with the market day, last Tuesday.
Some workers of Okomu Oil Plc and other travellers on the axis had their journey interrupted just as schools and shops in the town closed momentarily.
It will be recalled that a trigger-happy soldier shot a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over alleged demand for excessive toll at Ora junction in Ovia South West local government area of Edo State.
The Nigerian Observer report that six heavily armed men in military uniform had stormed the toll gate in a white Hilux van marked 033 with the inscription “Okomu Oil Plc” demanding immediate removal of barricade allegedly placed on Udo-Okomu road by the youths who claimed to be representing different revenue agents.
When our reporter visited Udo community, relics of burnt tyres littered sides of the road at the toll gate where the boy was shot and other spots in the town.
It was gathered that it took the intervention of policemen from Iguobazuwa police division led by the Division Police Officer (DPO), and the Iyase of Udo to calm the rampaging youths.
The victim Mr Iyendo Reuben, 27 is receiving medical attention at the Accident and Emergency ward, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City after he was allegedly shot by one of the soldiers who invaded the toll gate where Reuben works as a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Edo State branch.
It was scooped that the team of the military men who shot him took him to the hospital.
Narrating his ordeal to our crime reporter who visited the hospital last Tuesday Mr. Iyendo Reuben stated that the soldiers were called in to ensure that the fertilizer contractor evaded payment of toll.
He admitted working for the National Union of Road Transport Workers and added that the said contractor had been paying the toll and wondered why he invited the army after he had earlier agreed to pay that fateful afternoon.
Our visit revealed that the embattled toll gate is mounted on Udo-Okomu road, about 550 metres after its diversion from Ora-Iguobazuwa axis.
Investigation further revealed that about eight different revenue collectors including those of the Ovia South West local government council, operate the beat.
Though it could not be ascertained at press time whether the toll is approved by Edo State government, it was gathered that the operators have been there for years.
Chairman of the spot who did not want his name in print told our reporters that about 1pm on Monday, July 18, 2016 with the intention of collecting toll ordered 10 drivers to park their trailers loaded with fertilizer.
As they obeyed a man who they identified as Ebo and store keeper of Okomu Oil Plc emerged as the person in charge of the fertilizer which he said was to be supplied to Okomu Oil Plc.
He stated that the man who is also from Udo community and one of their customers on that route negotiated with them saying he was going to get money from the bank.
Trouble was said to have started when the said Ebo later returned while six armed soldiers arrived with a white Hilux van marked 033 with the inscription “Okomu Oil Plc”.
The beat chairman maintained that an argument that ensued between the soldiers and the toll collectors left one of them shot in his left lap by a soldier while others scampered for safety.
He however showed our reporters a hole in a nearby tree bored by the army bullet after it perforated the lap of his colleague.
The rampaging soldiers were also alleged to have further transferred their anger on an old soldier who witnessed the incident.
He however maintained that the rumour of the death of the victim triggered protest by Udo youths who saw the shooting as unprovoked.
Investigation revealed that the similar toll gate also exist t in Ofunmwegbe junction a.k.a Okada junction within the same Ovia South West local government area.
Motorists have continued to groan under what they perceive as multiple toll and called for the intervention of the state government.
The Iyase and Ihama of Udo Chief Patrick Igbinidu and Chief Francis Osas Ihama respectively, as well as others condemned the shooting of unarmed youth in the community by a soldier.
They called for thorough investigation of the shooting with a view to prosecuting the military man to serve as deterrent to some soldiers who think they are above the laws of the land.
While describing the rampage as unnecessary, the Iyase appealed to the military to operate within the armpit of their duty as Udo community has no problem with Okomu Oil Plc and advised them against creating any.
“The community does not have problem with Okomu. The boy is not working for the community, the soldier is not working for Okomu”. He stated.
He however maintained that in the interest of overall peace he has constituted a five-man committee chaired by the Ihaza of Udo chief Emmanuel Udubor.
Contacted to comment on the allegation that the demand for excessive toll by his members prompted the invitation of the soldiers, the state Chairman of NURTW Comrade Odion Olaye declined comment.
The spokesman, 4brigade, Nigeria Army, Benin City Captain Mohammed Maidawa stated that he was yet to be informed of the matter.
He however promised to make contact and get back to our reporter but did not do so at press time yesterday.
The acting Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command SP Stephen Onwochei confirmed the shooting of a member of NURTW.
He said statements have been obtained and the commissioner of police in the state had ordered full scale investigation into the shooting.
SP Onwochei however appealed to residents to remain calm as the police will continue to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in the state.
