Warri, Benin Boil As #EndSARS Protesters Block Entry, Exit Points, Four Reportedly Crushed To Death

The week-long protest against police brutality, on Sunday, took a dangerous dimension in Warri and Benin as youths blocked entry and exit points in both Warri and Benin city.

Hundreds of worshippers on Sunday trekked long distances to get to their churches and back home as several youth blocked major roads in the Warri and Effurun metropolis.

Reports say the protesters also blocked major entry and exit points in the ancient city of Benin thus forcing motorists to scout for alternative routes in and out of the city.

The protest in the Ekheuan area of Benin took a violent dimension as some hoodlums who posed as protesters attacked road users with sticks, clubs and hands, while others jumped in front of vehicles to demand for money before they were allowed to pass.

The entire stretch of the Auchi-Benin Road, by the Eyaen axis of the by-pass was blocked all the way to Aduwawa with only some commercial drivers chanting ‘Buhari must go’ driving dangerously through the road.

Another set of demonstrators took over the Benin–Lagos highway with some under the pedestrian bridge by the University of Benin main gate where they have been since Saturday. Another set moved from the main gate to Ageen Aluminum area of the road, thus making it impossible for anybody coming in or going out of the city to meander through the inner street roads.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, there have been reported cases of robberies, phone and handbag snatching by suspected hoodlums on Saturday night around Ring Road and Akpakpava areas of Benin City.

A journalist (name withheld), who was on transit along Ekheuan Road, had his car got damaged even when he explained to the protesters he was a reporter.

Businesses along that axis including petrol stations, car wash, barbers’ shops, provisions shops quickly closed their premises while the demonstrators had a free day playing football on the road, smoking and drinking.

A worshipper, who was returning from church, Kelvin Ibomah, said he confronted the hoodlums and urged them to stop harassing passersby.

One of the protesters, Tony Odiri said, “We are taking the future in our hands, today is our future, we are living it and we will get it right. I am from Delta State but I have lived all my life in Benin. Our agitation has gone beyond EndSARS.”

BIGPEN reports that about four persons were reportedly crushed to death in Benin, Edo State in the wee hours of Sunday, when a Sport Utility Vehicle ran into a group of protesters who slept on the road.

Four others who sustained serious injuries were said to have been rushed to the State Specialist Hospital for treatment. The protesters were said to have set bonfire on the road and slept beside it, when the vehicle ran into them.

According to a report monitored on a local radio station, the incident occurred along 2nd East Circular Road, by Uwa Junction. The driver of the vehicle was said to have abandoned it at the spot and fled the scene of the incident.

Effort to get a reaction from the state police command spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor failed, as calls made to his mobile phone went unanswered.

Meanwhile, entire city has been in a chaotic atmosphere, as protesters set bonfires at various spots. Also, all entry points into the city are blocked by the protesters, causing untold hardship to travellers who have to connect their various routes through the city.

Intra city transportation was also halted, causing commuters much agony, as they have to walk long distances to their respective destinations. The ever busy Benin/Abuja highway was blocked after the by-pass, while Benin/Agbor road was blocked at Police road Junction, according to Niger Delta Today report.