Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Fury and tension have enveloped Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State following the alleged stabbing to death of a yet-to-be identified motorist by a personnel of the Federal Road Safe Corps, FRSC, on a road block at Umuikaa Junction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The incident which occurred Tuesday evening has drawn the ire of the Council Chairman, Hon. Iyke Anyatonwu, who has demanded justice for the victim.
It was not yet clear what led to the alleged stabbing of the victim but the Council boss has condemned the action.
But reports say that driver was flagged down by the Road safety officials at the junction and he pulled over and alighted from his vehicle to meet them leaving his passengers in his bus.
It was further reported that an argument ensued between the driver and one of the FRSC officers.
The driver was later seen rolling on the ground and bleeding profusely following a deep stab in his neck region.
The road safety officials were said to have quickly taken him to the hospital where they dumped him in the pool of his blood and fled apparently to escape being lynched by youths.
Infuriated by the sad development, youths in the area were said to have mobilised to the office of the FRSC at the former Toll Gate junction at the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and set the office ablaze.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area and State ALGON Chairman, Comrade Ike Anyatonwu, also cried foul over the excesses and over-zealousness of various security agencies on road block at the Umuikaa Junction.
The Council boss in a press release signed by Mr Enyinnaya Standhope Nwaigwe, said he visited the hospital where the victim’s body was dumped by the killer.
The release obtained by Ikengaonline read in part: “Comrade Anyatonwu who broke his annual leave to visit Ronald Hospital, Mkpuka where the victim was dumped in the pool of his blood by his alleged killers and was later confirmed dead by the Management of the Hospital wondered why such a dastardly act has become a recurring incident at Umuikaa Junction and called on the State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps to immediately investigate the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
“The State ALGON Chairman while passing a vote of no confidence on the activities of various Security Agencies operating at Umuikaa junction along the Expressway explained that their unlawful activities have defeated the aim of bringing them to the area as they have turned their checkpoints to toll gates to the detriment of the people they are to protect while calling on the youths to remain calm and avoid taking laws into their own hands.”
The Council boss demanded immediate investigation into the matter.
But when contacted, the Abia State Commander of FRSC, Mr. Paul Ugwu, said he was yet to get details of the incident and promised to investigate to know what actually transpired.
He, however, appealed for calm, promising to swiftly deal with the matter because of the urgency it demands.
