Physically Challenged Edo Artisan Alleges DSS Seized His Car for Writing ‘Nigerians Are Hungry, Tinubu Is the Worst President’ in Benin City
A physically challenged artisan, Solomon Umudi, has accused operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of unlawfully seizing his car in Benin City, Edo State, over political messages he wrote on the vehicle criticising the Nigerian government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to Umudi, the inscriptions included statements such as “Nigerians are hungry,” “Tinubu is the worst President,” “No judiciary in Nigeria,” and “Nigerian pastors have failed us,” which he said reflected his personal experiences and the widespread hardship facing ordinary citizens.
Narrating his ordeal, Umudi said DSS operatives did not invite him for questioning or follow due process before taking his car. He alleged that the officers used deception around the Akezuwa and Stadium Road areas of Benin City, pretending to cause an accident before forcefully seizing the vehicle and driving away with it. He insisted that the car was not obstructing traffic and that he was never informed where it was taken.
Umudi, who earns a living making car seats, lamented what he described as increasing suppression of small business owners, youths, and vulnerable citizens amid worsening economic conditions and insecurity. He said he often carries a generator in his car to power his work due to the lack of electricity and recounted how he previously paid ransom to secure the release of a kidnapped student, highlighting the impact of insecurity on everyday Nigerians.
Describing the seizure of his car as an attempt to silence him, Umudi insisted that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in a democratic society and vowed to continue speaking out against hardship, poor governance, and what he sees as government failure. He called on authorities to listen to citizens’ concerns rather than intimidate or suppress dissent, warning that actions taken against him would not deter his resolve to keep expressing his views.
Physically Challenged Edo Artisan Alleges DSS Seized His Car for Writing ‘Nigerians Are Hungry, Tinubu Is the Worst President’ in Benin City
A physically challenged artisan, Solomon Umudi, has accused operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of unlawfully seizing his car in Benin City, Edo State, over political messages he wrote on the vehicle criticising the Nigerian government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to Umudi, the inscriptions included statements such as “Nigerians are hungry,” “Tinubu is the worst President,” “No judiciary in Nigeria,” and “Nigerian pastors have failed us,” which he said reflected his personal experiences and the widespread hardship facing ordinary citizens.
Narrating his ordeal, Umudi said DSS operatives did not invite him for questioning or follow due process before taking his car. He alleged that the officers used deception around the Akezuwa and Stadium Road areas of Benin City, pretending to cause an accident before forcefully seizing the vehicle and driving away with it. He insisted that the car was not obstructing traffic and that he was never informed where it was taken.
Umudi, who earns a living making car seats, lamented what he described as increasing suppression of small business owners, youths, and vulnerable citizens amid worsening economic conditions and insecurity. He said he often carries a generator in his car to power his work due to the lack of electricity and recounted how he previously paid ransom to secure the release of a kidnapped student, highlighting the impact of insecurity on everyday Nigerians.
Describing the seizure of his car as an attempt to silence him, Umudi insisted that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in a democratic society and vowed to continue speaking out against hardship, poor governance, and what he sees as government failure. He called on authorities to listen to citizens’ concerns rather than intimidate or suppress dissent, warning that actions taken against him would not deter his resolve to keep expressing his views.
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