The Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDTMA) has disowned its staff, Mr. Abass Philip who was brutalised by suspected internet fraudsters popularly called “yahoo boys” in the line of duty in Benin.

The victim got a close shave with death in the hands of unnamed commuter who was apprehended by officials of the agency for a road traffic offence on Thursday in Aduwawa Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the State.

Security sources said a heated argument ensued between the driver of the ash colour Toyota car that was impounded by officials of the agency for ‘driving one way’, attracted the attention of hoodlums to the secretariat of the agency at Aduwawa area and thereafter attacked everyone in sight.

Mr. Abass was injured by the hoodlums while his colleagues scampered for safety.

It was learnt that security agents who later arrived the crime scene, looked at the other way during the melee, which caused panic among residents and road users as well as shop owners in the locality.

Concerned residents in the area, however took the injured traffic personnel to hospital for medical attention after the suspected hoodlums have left the scene.

In utter dismay, the Public Relations officer of the agency, Mr. Roland Owolabi, dismissed the inquiry by the Newspaper.

But the injured EDTMA staff, Mr. Abass, rejected undisclosed sum of money that was offered him by the alleged offender to pay his medical bills and cover up his track.

Contacted, the spokesman of the Nigeria police, Edo State Command, SP. Kotongs Bello, said the DPO in charge of Aduwawa Division is yet to respond to the inquiry from our Correspondent on the incident as at the time of filing this report.