A police officer in Benin, Edo State, has come under heavy criticism after allegedly assaulting a bus driver over ₦100, an incident that quickly escalated into widespread protests. The altercation, which was caught on video and shared on X (formerly Twitter), has sparked outrage among residents and netizens alike.
According to the post shared by popular user @TheBeninBlogger, the bus driver was brutally attacked by the officer during a heated confrontation allegedly sparked by the driver’s refusal or inability to pay a ₦100 bribe. The video shows a chaotic scene with a large crowd of angry men and women confronting the police officers as they attempted to leave the area.
In the viral footage, voices from the crowd can be heard shouting angrily at the officers, accusing them of trying to kill an innocent man over a small amount of money. One person in the video is heard saying, “Because of ₦100, you want to kill an innocent soul,” capturing the collective frustration of onlookers who followed the officers and recorded the incident on their phones.
The protest quickly gained momentum, with community members rallying behind the assaulted driver, demanding justice and condemning the abuse of power by law enforcement agents. Witnesses claimed that the driver was left in a critical condition, with some reports suggesting he slipped into a coma following the beating.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as tense and emotional, with many residents expressing disbelief that such violence could be unleashed over a paltry sum. The incident has reignited conversations around police brutality and extortion, issues that have long plagued Nigeria's law enforcement agencies and led to movements like #EndSARS.
Local sources revealed that the police officers involved attempted to leave the scene swiftly, but the angry crowd blocked their way, demanding accountability and immediate intervention from higher authorities. Residents can be seen in the video physically and verbally confronting the officers, while some women can be heard crying and calling for justice.
The incident has since prompted calls for an independent investigation, with human rights activists urging the Edo State government and Nigeria Police Force leadership to take swift action against the perpetrators. Many believe that without decisive action, such incidents will continue to tarnish the image of the police and deepen public distrust.
Online, the reactions have been overwhelmingly critical, with many users demanding immediate suspension and prosecution of the officers involved. Some also called for compensation for the victim and his family to cover medical expenses and other damages resulting from the assault.
[b]WATCH VIDEO: [/b>
Chaos in Upper Sokponba as police reportedly bėat bus driver to coma pic.twitter.com/xrnEad7rLH
— The Benin Blogger (@TheBeninBlogger) July 11, 2025
More footage from Upper Sokponba where Police reportedly beät a bus driver to coma https://t.co/hAl4I9o5tS pic.twitter.com/bqhhB1ym38
— The Benin Blogger (@TheBeninBlogger) July 11, 2025