BENIN-CITY: Confusion has trailed reports of a road accident involving police officers allegedly on illegal duty along the Benin–Agbor Road, as the Edo and Lagos State Police Commands have given conflicting accounts of the incident.
According to a police wireless message from MOPOL 20, Ikeja, dated October 5, 2025, two officers Inspector Abubakar Mohammed (AP/No. 373710) and Sergeant Usman Abdulmajid (F/No. 508996), were involved in a crash at Uvwie community around 2:20 p.m.
while travelling in a white Toyota Hilux van with registration number FKJ 445 HK.
The Lagos report stated that the officers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Abudu Medical Centre for treatment. Inspector Mohammed reportedly suffered a right thigh fracture, while Sergeant Abdulmajid, who was initially unconscious, later regained consciousness.
Police authorities confirmed that two rifles an AK-47 (No. NK344711) and an FMC rifle with two magazines were recovered from the scene and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abudu Division for safekeeping.
The message also noted that investigations revealed the officers were on unauthorised duty, having left their base without approval.
it was discovered that the Inspector and the Sergeant were on illegal duty, having travelled without authorization. They have been defaulted, and their trial will commence as soon as they return to base, the report stated.
A senior officer was reportedly dispatched to Benin to retrieve the firearms as investigations continue.
However, a separate report from the Ugoneki Police Outpost in Edo State presented a conflicting version of events. According to the Edo report, three officers not two sustained injuries in the crash, which it said occurred at 12:20 p.m., not 2:20 p.m.
The Edo report also identified a third victim, Emmanuel Osas, the driver of the Hilux van, adding that the vehicle somersaulted and veered into a bush near Uvwe community.
Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the Hilux capsized and somersaulted into the thick bush.
The victims were rescued and taken to the Abudu Health Centre for medical attention,” the statement read.
It confirmed that the same firearms were recovered an AK-47 rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition and an FMC rifle with 16 rounds (14 live, 2 expended).
The Edo report further stated that the officers were on illegal duty en route to the eastern region and initially refused to disclose their service numbers.
It was later discovered that they are personnel of MOPOL 20 Lagos and were on illegal duty from Lagos to the eastern states, it added.
The recovered rifles remain in custody at Abudu Division, while the Hilux van has been towed to the Ugoneki Police Outpost.
The contradictory accounts from both police commands have raised questions about internal supervision and the growing trend of officers embarking on unauthorised operations across state lines.
