LAWLESS: SSS Brutalize Task Force Officials Over Traffic Rules?

Four members of the Delta State task force on traffic control were yesterday wounded in a clash with officials of the state command of the State Security Services (SSS). The victims, who were reportedly bundled into detention by the SSS, were later released and taken to the hospital for medical attention. Trouble was said to have started when a senior official of the service allegedly contravened traffic regulation by driving against traffic at the Government House Road, Asaba.

According to Daily Sun source, the task force officials accosted the alleged traffic violator who was said to have introduced himself as an official of the SSS but the task force officials disregarded his explanation. The source said the task force officials seized the car ignition key in an attempt to tow the vehicle to the Ministry of Transport office. It was further gathered that the SSS official quickly mobilised men from the command headquarters and trailed the task force officials to Macdons on Okpanam Road in a bid to retrieve the ignition key. Another eyewitness said the SSS officials shot sporadically into the air and allegedly attacked the task force officials with their guns.

“They actually brutalised the boys after shooting into the air sporadically. They hit them with the guns and harassed them before taking them away,” the eyewitness stated. While the boys were allegedly bundled into detention at the SSS headquarters, other members of the task force in solidarity with their members stormed the SSS office to demand the unconditional release of their colleagues.

The chaotic situation, it was further gathered, led to sporadic shooting by SSS in their bid to douse tension and disperse the crowd that was building up. The situation was later brought under control when the Commissioner for Transport, Ben Igbakpa arrived the scene to calm frayed nerves. His intervention was said to have led to the release of the boys from detention. When contacted, the commissioner confirmed the incident, saying the matter had been resolved.

Source: Sun News