On Friday, some unnamed escorts who were reportedly linked to Ossy Onuko, the managing director and chief executive officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Agency, allegedly beat a truck driver for passing their convoy on the highway.
According to the viral videos that went viral on Friday, the incident allegedly took place on Friday afternoon at the UNIZIK Junction in Awka, Anambra State, and the escorts were seen assaulting the driver.
In response to the viral recordings, some locals denounced the incident and urged the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to issue a warning to his appointees because their behavior did not reflect well on them as “responsible public office holders”.
In response to the videos, a local human rights activist who only went by the name Paschal further urged the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police for the state of Anambra, the Department of State Services, and all other human rights defenders to save helpless civilians.
“Today this afternoon at UNIZIK Junction, Awka, Mr. Ossy Onuko, the Chairman, Awka Capital Territory, and his escorts beat the driver of a commercial transportation company into a stupor because he overtook them on a Federal Expressway,” he stated.
“Why should he be ‘butchered’ in that manner, assuming without admitting that this driver committed any traffic violations? The driver was traveling from Lagos to Enugu when he passed Ossy Onuko, the head of the ACTDA, in his convoy in Awka.
Unaware that the convoy was carrying some thugs, the pursuers pursued him until the driver stopped to let some passengers out at the UNIZIK crossroads.As he saw them pummel the defenseless driver, Onuko gave the order for his thugs to surround him.
The ACTDA chief, who was taking pleasure in the thrashing, instructed the men to bring the man to his office, the man said. They loaded the driver into their car and drove off with him along with the passengers he had brought from Lagos who were stuck at UNIZIK.
“I am requesting that the state’s human rights activists, the police commissioner, inspector general, and the state director of DSS arrest this overzealous person who travels with thugs and assaults innocent bystanders.
“People protested yesterday in Agulu over the death of an Agulu citizen by Soludo Revenue agents. The other occasion took place at Onitsha. One incidence like this is too many.
Christian Aburime, Soludo’s press secretary, responded to the news in a statement late on Friday. He emphasized that the accident happened on a route in Awka and that the truck driver was deemed to be “reckless” on the road.
The Anambra State Government wants to address a recent incident involving Mr. Ossy Onuko, MD/Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Agency, and a driver associated with GUO Transport, according to Aburime.
“The incident took place in Awka on a public street, as shown in a viral video. Giving a true description of the events in question is essential.Onuko, who was traveling down the same road, decided to step in after noticing the GUO Transport driver’s dangerously careless driving behavior.
“He made an effort to warn the driver after realizing the possible danger to other road users. Unfortunately, the driver decided to ignore the instructions, requiring the assistance of security agents to guarantee compliance.
However, a regrettable altercation involving the driver, Onuko, and other unnamed people took place during the process of apprehending the driver.
“We are aware that various misunderstandings resulting from public comments around the incident have suggested falsely that public officials connected to the Anambra State Government are prone to conflict.
“We want to vehemently deny these charges. Under the humanitarian leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the state government is firm in its commitment to developing a culture marked by decency, decorum, and respect for one another’s human rights.
“We are steadfast in our pursuit of a community where residents act responsibly, mindful of the rights and welfare of others, and the overall good of the public,” the statement reads.
He emphasized that all public employees working for his administration will uphold Soludo’s strong commitment to building a community of enlightened citizens.
It is important to stress that the governor does not support or condone any officer of a state government agency who decides to handle problems on their own or gets into a physical conflict with a member of the public while trying to uphold set standards or laws.
“The state administration reiterates its dedication to the ideals of responsible leadership and the welfare of all citizens in closing. We believe that this comment sheds more light on the incident in question,” Aburime Added.