KEY POINTS
- Enugu officials dismiss rumours of tricycle driver’s death.
- The incident left one VIO official injured after a tricycle was overturned.
- Authorities stress compliance with law enforcement directives.
The Enugu State Ministry of Transport dismissed unverified reports alleging that officers from its Vehicle Inspection Unit caused the death of a tricycle (keke) driver.
Ministry denies viral claim of tricycle driver’s death
In a statement issued Wednesday, ministry spokesperson Odumegwu Chinwendu refuted claims made in a viral video, asserting that the video’s allegations are false.
A video circulating on social media, viewed by our correspondent, shows a tricycle driver lying motionless after an altercation with a Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) marshal, who had allegedly been pursuing him. The video also shows a young female VIO officer with a significant injury to her right leg.
According to the information gathered, the incident occurred Thursday, October 24, 2024, when VIO officials stopped the tricycle driver at WAEC Junction for a traffic violation. An official reportedly boarded the tricycle, instructing the driver to proceed to the Ministry of Transport, located nearby.
Tricycle overturns after driver ignores VIO instructions
According to Punch, Chinwendu explained that instead of complying, the driver sped off at high speed, causing the tricycle to overturn. Both the driver and the VIO official were thrown from the vehicle. The VIO officer sustained serious injuries and was immediately transported to a hospital, while the driver, Chinwendu claimed, feigned death despite showing no visible injuries, thus attracting public sympathy.
“Upon receiving the report, the State Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Mr. Val Chime, led officials to the scene. However, the supposedly deceased driver quickly got up, returned to his tricycle—now missing its windshield—and fled,” said Chinwendu, adding that the incident has been reported to police, and an investigation is ongoing.
Confirming Chinwendu’s account, Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer Val Chime stated that the VIO officer sustained multiple bruises and a fracture and is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Chime noted that when he arrived at the scene, the tricycle driver, identified as an unidentified Hausa man, stood up and immediately left the area upon learning of the VIO official’s hospitalization.
Chime urged the public to disregard false reports circulating on social media, clarifying that no deaths occurred.
“I advise motorists to remain law-abiding, respectful, and cooperative with law enforcement officers across the state,” Chime said. He added that the accident could have been prevented if the driver had complied with instructions.
