A man identified as Courage, popularly known as “Dogo,” has been reportedly killed at Eboh Quarters, Estate Gate, Irhirhi, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Secretary of the Edo State Special Security Squad, John Izegaegbe, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday through the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.
Izegaegbe disclosed that Governor Okpebholo has directed the special squad to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing.
According to him, operatives received a distress call at about 6:13 a.m. on Friday reporting that someone had been murdered in the area. When the squad arrived at the scene, they confirmed that the victim had already been killed.
He clarified that the incident was not cult-related, as earlier speculated, but was reportedly linked to a dispute over illegal park ticketing activities.
Izegaegbe explained that despite the state government’s ban on certain ticketing operations, the deceased was allegedly involved in illegal ticket collection and was accused of not sharing the proceeds properly.
The disagreement, he said, allegedly led to a conspiracy that resulted in his death.
Preliminary findings showed that a 9mm Beretta pistol was used in the attack, with cartridges recovered at the scene.
The killing reportedly triggered a reprisal attack at Wire Road after some individuals wrongly believed certain people were responsible.
Security operatives have arrested several suspects, who are currently providing information that may lead to more arrests.
“The reported killing of Courage, known as Dogo, in Irhirhi led to intensive operations during the weekend. Following the incident, the Governor gave us a marching order to get to the root of the matter,” Izegaegbe said.
“After the preliminary investigation on Friday, we carried out intensive operations on Saturday. We must stress that it is not a cult killing. Investigations are ongoing,” he added.
During the security operations, the squad also recovered firearms inside an abandoned vehicle in Irhirhi, off Airport Road.
“We moved into town as early as 6 a.m. and combed the length and breadth of Benin metropolis. For the first time, we recovered a K2 Army magazine loaded with live ammunition inside a vehicle. All occupants fled, but we recovered the vehicle and the K2 magazine,” he stated.
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Izegaegbe reaffirmed the Edo State Government’s determination to tackle cultism, kidnapping, and other forms of criminal activity, assuring residents that the situation is under control.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies, promising that anyone found guilty would face decisive action.
Meanwhile, Edo State Police have assured residents that efforts are ongoing to rescue a police officer abducted alongside his daughter on February 8.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, gave the assurance during a briefing at the command headquarters in Benin on Friday, adding that two other victims kidnapped in Makeke, Akoko Edo Local Government Area, on the same day, would also be rescued.
