About 20 people, including market women have been reportedly injured in Benin in a violent clash between two revenue collector groups for Oredo Local Government Council of Edo State.
The incident reportedly occurred when the head of one of the warring factions named Shabba Adams, allegedly insisted that he was given license to collect revenue from motorists operating from Ring Road to New Benin Market but Road Transport Employees of Nigeria (RTEAN) members under Osakpamwan Eriyo refused.
According to PmNews, It was learnt that members of the RTEAN and boys employed by Shabba Adams used cutlasses freely on themselves and chased market women away in a free for all.
The State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, who confirmed the clash, said some youths sustained injuries. He urged the state government to come up with a decision on who is the authentic revenue collector to avoid future crisis.
“One of the groups said it has authority of the state government, one said it has authority of the LGA. Some people were assaulted and I have asked my DCO in New Benin to investigate the matter and go after the suspects who assaulted those people.
“But the fundamental issue is who collects the revenue and I think it is in the purview of the state government to make that decision. But as we speak now, there is calm and I urge every body to go on with their normal businesses,” Ezike said.
The Vice Chairman of RTEAN, Okundaye Collins, when commenting on the incident, said the group has no issues with Shabba Adams, pointing out that Shabba was given license to collect revenue from market women and not commercial bus drivers.
But in his comment, Shabba said he would stop collecting revenue from motorist if Osakpamwan showed proof that the same contract was given to him.
