A 19-year-old man, Nsikak Okon, has been arrested following a reckless driving incident in Benin City, Edo State, that left several vehicles damaged and three police officers injured, according to the police.

The incident, which occurred in the state capital and was later circulated widely on social media, has raised fresh concerns about dangerous driving, vehicle regulation enforcement and the risks faced by security personnel during routine patrols. A viral video of the episode, seen by Dockaysworld, shows a Mercedes-Benz ramming into multiple vehicles as the driver attempted to evade police officers.

According to the police, the suspect’s actions turned a routine patrol into a chaotic scene that endangered motorists, pedestrians and law enforcement officers alike.

How the incident unfolded

The Lagos State Police Command spokesman, CSP Ben Hundeyin, who confirmed the arrest, said the incident began when police officers on patrol noticed a Mercedes-Benz with fully tinted windows and no visible number plates.

According to Hundeyin, the vehicle immediately drew attention because it violated basic traffic and security regulations. When officers attempted to engage the driver, he reportedly sped past them in what the police described as a dangerous and reckless manner.

Rather than fleeing the area completely, the driver later returned at high speed, nearly hitting one of the officers on duty. Hundeyin said the suspect then made another deliberate pass, during which three police officers were knocked down.

“Two of them have been discharged, while one other is still in hospital,” Hundeyin said, confirming the condition of the injured officers.

Despite knocking down the officers, the driver allegedly continued to flee, ramming into other vehicles along the way and causing further damage before he was eventually apprehended by the police.

Arrest and vehicle search

Police said the suspect was eventually stopped and arrested after a coordinated response by officers in the area. A search of the vehicle following the arrest revealed substances suspected to be hard drugs, according to the police spokesman.

While details of the substances were not disclosed as of press time, Hundeyin said further investigations were ongoing to determine their nature and whether additional charges would be filed.

The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to be charged to court after investigations are concluded, the police said.

Public reaction and viral footage

Footage of the incident, which quickly spread across social media platforms, has drawn strong reactions from the public. Many viewers expressed shock at the level of recklessness displayed by the driver, while others raised questions about how such vehicles are able to operate without number plates or proper identification.

In the video seen by Dockaysworld, the Mercedes-Benz can be seen colliding with parked and moving vehicles as bystanders scatter to avoid being hit. The footage has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and closer monitoring of vehicles with tinted windows.

Road safety advocates say the viral nature of such incidents often highlights a deeper problem of weak compliance and enforcement rather than isolated misconduct.

Background on tinted vehicles and enforcement challenges

In Nigeria, the use of fully tinted vehicles without proper permits is prohibited due to security concerns. Such vehicles have often been linked to criminal activity, including kidnapping and armed robbery, prompting regular enforcement operations by security agencies.

However, analysts note that enforcement has been inconsistent across states, allowing some motorists to flout regulations with little consequence until incidents occur.

According to a retired traffic enforcement officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, encounters involving tinted vehicles often escalate quickly. “When a driver decides to flee, it puts everyone at risk, including officers who may not know who or what they are dealing with inside the vehicle,” he said.

He added that younger drivers, particularly those with access to high-performance vehicles, sometimes underestimate the consequences of reckless behaviour on public roads.

Why the incident matters now

The Benin City incident comes amid growing concern over road safety and the conduct of young drivers in urban centres. According to data from road safety authorities in recent years, reckless driving remains a leading cause of road accidents, particularly in cities with increasing vehicle density.

The injury of police officers during the incident has also renewed discussion about the risks law enforcement personnel face during routine patrols. While much public attention often focuses on major crime, traffic-related encounters frequently place officers in harm’s way.

Security analysts say incidents like this underline the importance of improved patrol safety measures, better inter-agency coordination and the use of technology, such as automatic number plate recognition systems, to reduce the need for dangerous physical pursuits.

Possible legal implications

Legal experts say the suspect could face multiple charges, including reckless driving, assault on law enforcement officers, destruction of property and possession of suspected illicit substances, depending on the outcome of investigations.

According to a Benin-based legal practitioner, cases involving injury to police officers are typically treated seriously by the courts. “Once officers are injured in the line of duty, it elevates the gravity of the offence and often influences the severity of charges and penalties,” he said.

The presence of suspected hard drugs in the vehicle, if confirmed by forensic analysis, could further complicate the suspect’s legal situation.

Attention will now turn to the outcome of police investigations and the charges that will be filed against the suspect. Authorities are also expected to assess the extent of damage to the affected vehicles and whether compensation mechanisms will be pursued.

There may also be renewed pressure on traffic and security agencies in Edo State to intensify checks on tinted vehicles and unregistered cars, particularly in high-traffic areas of Benin City.

For the injured officers, the focus remains on recovery, with one still receiving medical treatment as of press time.

The arrest of 19-year-old Nsikak Okon following a violent and reckless driving episode in Benin City has brought renewed attention to the dangers posed by unregulated vehicles and high-risk driving behaviour. While no fatalities were reported, the injuries to police officers and damage to multiple vehicles underscore how quickly such incidents can escalate.

As investigations continue, the case is likely to serve as a test of the authorities’ commitment to enforcing traffic laws and holding offenders accountable, particularly when public safety and the lives of law enforcement officers are put at risk.