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| FRSC boss,Oyeyemi and some senior officers of the Commission |
Two
days ago,there was a publication concerning how FRSC officials allegedly
maltreated three journalists working with Channels TV,AIT and Silverbird
Television in Owerri,Imo State.It was alleged that the officers were caught
trying to obtain bribe from a motorist and all attempt made for them to see
reason fell on deaf ears.
The
allegation went further to state that the FRSC official solicited the
assistance of the NSCDC personnel who subsequently detained the journalists for
carrying out their legitimate business.
The
publication attracted the attention of the Corps Marshal of the Agency,Mr Boboye
Oyeyemi who instituted an immediate investigation of the incident.
This
was the outcome of the investigation as narrated by the Head of Operations of
the Command Dcc Chris Anabor.
“On Saturday 20 February
2016, a patrol team of RS9.4 Imo State Sector Command led by DRC KK Orji was on
patrol along Okigwe Road Owerri Imo State. The team flagged down an Infiniti
car with registration number BWR 749 BJ being driven by Mr. paschal Asaghi
Opara Iheoma and he stooped.
The team leader
discovered that the driver had a drivers license print out form that was dated
12 October 2015. He explained to him that he should have gone for capturing and
booked him since he hadn’t documents he could confiscate; he decided to impound
the vehicle. It was at that point that a woman came down from the vehicle and
told the team leader that her daughter seated at the rear compartment of the
vehicle was sick. The team leader explained that nothing could be done since he
had booked the driver and assisted them by using the FRSC patrol vehicle to
take the sick woman to the hospital.
Despite this good
gesture by the team leader, the offender/driver of the booked vehicle was still
insisting that his vehicle would not be impounded. It was at this point that
the driver engaged the team leader in physical assault and tore his uniform. As
this was going on, other members of the patrol team noticed that there were two
men across the road who were taking pictures/videoing the scene. They accosted
them to find out who they were and why they should be taking pictures, the men
didn’t respond but instead started harassing them.
The team leader
sought the assistance of the NSCDC men who came to their rescue and quietly
invited both the driver, the men taking pictures with our patrol team to enter
their premises for the resolution of the matter. In the process, the men who
were later identified as journalists invited their colleague claiming that they
were beaten up by FRSC and NSCDC men. The place became very rowdy with hoodlums
who mixed up with the journalists to cause confusion. It was at this point that
Mr. Tope Kuteyi of Channels TV made an inciteful comment that NSCDC base should
be burnt down. This statement immediately triggered off mob action that
necessitated the NSCDC operatives to release warning shots in to the air to dispel
the crowd in order to secure their base.
At that point a
journalist from one of the print media called my attention that there was
problem at Okigwe road. I quickly called the Sector Intelligence Officer RC
Moses O Abutu of the Command to inquire whether he was aware of the situation
and he told me that he was at Okigwe road and the situation was under control.
I was in the office when he returned with our team.
I called my Zonal
Commanding Officer and the Sector Commander and informed them of the
developments. I also told the ZCO of my intention to see the State Commandant
of the NSCDC and he directed me to do so without delay and feed him afterwards.
I went to the
office of the state commandant of the NSCDC in the company of the SIO, SPO and
the team leader. At the office of the Commandant the three journalists directly
involved, namely correspondents from AIT, Channels and Silver bird television
were there. Also four senior officers and the PRO of the NSCDC were in the
Commandant’s office.
The issues were
discussed and resolved after blames were apportioned particularly to the
pressmen who instigated their colleagues into riot. We w shook hands and
exchanged telephones numbers for better working relationship.
Sir, let me also
mention that the issues of bribery and the woman bleeding never came up
throughout the discussions with the journalist. The driver of the vehicle has
been tendering apologies for his misdeeds.
I came back to my
office, called my ZCO, ACM SA Obayemi and narrated the outcome of the meeting.
I was therefore
surprised when my Sector Commander CC P Kibo called this morning to alert me of
the publications in The Sun, New Telegraph newspapers and online
This is forwarded
for your further directions please.”
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