A female officer of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) was allegedly assaulted by a motorist yesterday at the General Gas area in Ibadan, during a road repair operation.
According to a statement signed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the incident occurred while the Kopek Construction Company was carrying out repairs on damaged sections of the General Gas Bridge.
The statement disclosed that "the construction company arrived at about 10:00 a.m. to commence the repair work, leading to the temporary closure of a portion of the road."
"To ease traffic movement and prevent congestion, an alternative route was provided, while OYRTMA and officers of the Nigeria Police Force were deployed to strategic diversion points to direct motorists. Most road users complied with the traffic directives and used the designated alternative route."
"However, at about 4:05 p.m., a driver of a green Toyota Camry reportedly attempted to pass through the restricted section of the road. The female OYRTMA officer on duty approached the driver and directed him to use the alternative route because of the ongoing construction."
"Rather than complying with the directive, the driver allegedly alighted from his vehicle and repeatedly slapped the officer, who was in full uniform and had been performing her official duties since the morning," the statement revealed.
It was reported that the incident attracted the attention of residents, passersby and other motorists, who intervened to prevent further escalation. It was further disclosed that Officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Akobo Divisional Police Station later arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect.
The suspect was subsequently taken to Akobo Divisional Police Station, where he was detained pending his arraignment before a court next Monday.
Reacting to the incident, the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd), condemned the alleged assault, describing it as unacceptable and stressing that officers deployed to the roads were performing their statutory responsibilities to ensure order and the free flow of traffic.
“This unprovoked attack on our officer is totally unacceptable. Our officers are on the road to serve the public and ensure order, not to be assaulted. We will not tolerate any form of violence against OYRTMA personnel,” Adekoya said
He commended the police, motorists, residents and other witnesses for their prompt intervention, adding that the Authority would continue to monitor the matter and ensure that due legal process was followed.
Adesagba also urged motorists to cooperate with traffic management personnel, particularly during road construction, diversion and other operations designed to protect road users and facilitate smooth movement.
OYRTMA reiterated its commitment to protecting its personnel while carrying out their official duties and maintaining safety and orderly traffic movement across Oyo State.
Social Plugin