The social media during the weekend went viral amidst mixes reactions following the brutalization of a GUO motor by the Chairman, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).
News Echo gathered that the what caused the act was because the driver overtook the police vehicle in the popular UNIZIK junction Awka, Anambra state.
In a shocking incident on the 20th of October, 2023, GUO Transport driver was brutally assaulted by Mr. Ossy Onuko, the Managing Director and CEO of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), and his associates.
Though News Echo gathered fromca reliable source that the transport company has vowed to pursue legal action against the individuals responsible for this criminal assault.
A press statement issued by GUO Transport described the incident as a grave case of abuse and intimidation, highlighting the unfortunate nature of the attack on their driver. The company expressed gratitude to concerned citizens who intervened during the assault, which resulted in their driver sustaining critical injuries and left passengers traumatized.
GUO Transport has called upon Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, to constitute a panel of inquiry to address the situation and prevent similar incidents in the future. Simultaneously, they have pledged to seek legal redress against Mr. Onuko and all those involved to ensure justice is served.
The incident has garnered widespread sympathy and support from both Anambrarians and other Nigerian citizens who condemn the inhumane treatment of the GUO Transport driver. The company also expressed disappointment in the press statement issued by the Anambra state government, which seemingly defended the actions of its officials without a thorough investigation.
GUO Transport insists that a transparent inquiry is essential to hold accountable those responsible for this outrageous incident, preventing a recurrence that could potentially result in loss of life and chaos in the state. The company is resolute in their pursuit of justice and redress for their driver and passengers.
Meanwhile, in a statement made avaliable to News Men on Saturday evening, 21sth Oct, 2023 the ACTDA boss, Mr Onuko expressing how the whole scenario played out said “I had finished my exams from the Igbariam campus of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and was on the way to my office in Awka, driving in the company of two civil defence officers seated in the back seat of my Toyota Hilux vehicle (there was no convoy). Suddenly, at Ukpo axis of the Enugu/Onitsha expressway, I sighted a white coloured GUO vehicle speedily approaching and trying to overtake me, given that the express road is still being used as a two-way drive, he could not meet up with his moves to overtake me and series of other vehicles in the line, as two heavy-duty trucks were approaching; he suddenly veered into my lane, it would have been a serious disaster and a lot of losses would have been counted if not for divine grace and my swift effort to steer my wheel rightly”.
“The said driver sped off without any sign of remorse, this infuriated me and the officers I had in my car. However, we continued with our journey, getting to Amawbia flyover we hoped to stop the driver at the police checkpoint there to ensure he was okay and know the reasons behind his reckless driving because I thought I owed that as a duty to other road users. Unfortunately in the same vein, he sped off. We knew we could still get him at their office in Awka because they have a park at UNIZIK junction. However, he stopped not at their park, but at the opposite Enugu Motor Park”.
“The two civil defence officers fully kitted in their uniforms, approached him and asked him to alight from his bus, he locked up himself and his passengers in the bus and even attempted to overrun the officers with his vehicle. At this point the atmosphere was very heated, I had to call the police and Community-based vigilante within the environment”.
Apologizibg, Mr Onuko said “I also learnt later on that the young man resisted arrest which led to a lot of violent conduct in his arrest, I take full responsibility for all that, and I also apologise to the young man, his company GUO, and my friends and well-wishers who have been embarrassed by my association with such act”.
