The quest for survival has forced a former revenue collector, identified only as Akpako to return to his base, months after losing his two legs to a road crash in the line of duty along Sapele road by NEPA junction in Benin.
A hit-and-run mini bus driver, reportedly knocked down the victim who was trying to collect revenue from him at the popular NEPA junction on Sapele tarred road, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.
He was brought to State government-own hospitalized for urgent medical attention by sympathetic Nigerians, but, he discharged himself against doctors advice due to his inability to pay his medical bills.
Investigation revealed that ‘the cripple who has now been confined to a wheelchair’, has oestensibly joined other alms-seeking destitute in their begging bowl culture in his bid to survive despite his predicament.
The tall dark in complexion man who was spotted last week at the King square in Benin City where he sought support of philanthropic Nigeriana and thereafter returned home.
Investigation further revealed that he returned to his base on Monday September 22nd 2025 at Sapele road junction by the King square, begging for arms from commercial bus drivers who were his friends when he was using a Nissan Vanette bus before he was recruited into the revenue collection drive.
TheNewspad recalls that on August 5th 2025, the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, banned the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel.
The announcement endorsed by Secretary to Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor, to Atalakpa Recovery Concept Limited and other unions as well as revenue collection agents.
The Government said the groups had grossly violating the conditions of their engagement under clearly defined terms of the regulator — Edo State Inland Revenue Service (EIRS) and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation of residents of the State.
The Government said having “observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organizations under various guises across the State”; “It considers these actions as acts of economic sabotage, social oppression, and a direct affront to law and order. The era of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort drivers and road users in the name of revenue collection is over”, it said.
Accordingly, “All motorists, drivers, and road users are strongly advised not to pay any cash or comply with any form of illegal levy imposed by these banned entities”.
The statement, urged members of the public to report any such illegal activity to the Edo State Special Taskforce, coordinated by SP Michael Anetor via 08038157126.
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