Officials of the Edo State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) have apprehended two suspected impersonators of the scheme, who are in the business of impersonating, extorting, assaulting, and impounding vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public at the Ramat Park axis of the Benin metropolis.
The PUWOV State Commander, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, said the suspects, Fidelis Ugbenna and Alletor Lucky, have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
He said the duo were apprehended by the officials of the scheme around the Mami Market at Ramat Park, Benin City, following tip-off by a victim of their illegitimate dealings.
Yusuf-Osagie said, “Officials of the Edo State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) have apprehended two suspected impersonators of the PUWOV scheme who have been operating at the Ramat Park axis of the Benin metropolis.
“The suspects, Fidelis Ugbenna and Alletor S. Lucky, were arrested around the Mami Market at Ramat Park, while on their illegal operations.
“The suspects have been in the act of extorting, assaulting and impounding vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public while posing as officials of PUWOV.”
According to him, “The suspects were arrested following an anonymous tip-off to the Edo PUWOV Office from one of the victims of the illegal operations of the culprits. They were arrested on August 3rd while trying to illegally arrest and extort a motorist they unlawfully apprehended at the Ramat Park axis.”
“The suspects have been handed over to the Oregbeni Police Division for further investigation as the case is presently being charged to court and the suspects prosecuted accordingly.”
The state commander further stated, “While we reassure our commitment to sanitise the volunteer scheme and rid it of bad eggs, we urge members of the public to be mindful and watchful of impersonators operating and extorting motorists while posing as PUWOV officials. You are urged to report the same to the appropriate authorities and always call the following helplines 09150322999 and 08132030846 to report unlawful acts.”
