google.com, pub-3998556743903564, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Tipper Drivers Deny Allegations Of Ambush In Fatal Oba Crash, Dispute SASA Claims

Tipper Drivers Deny Allegations Of Ambush In Fatal Oba Crash, Dispute SASA Claims

-         Condole with Families of Accident Victims

By Chukwudi Ebele


In response to a false social media post on Solakuti.com, titled "Oba Deadly Clash: Our Officers were Ambushed, Deliberately Killed by Tipper Drivers - SASA Spokesperson", eyewitnesses have disputed claims that tipper drivers ambushed SASA officers. 

They have revealed that the tragic accident on the Onitsha-Oba-Owerri Expressway, which resulted in several fatalities, was due to recklessness, with SASA operatives themselves behind the wheel of the vehicles involved.

The God's Own Tipper Owners and Drivers Association in Anambra State rejected allegations that tipper drivers were involved in ambushing SASA officers. They clarified that the tipper garage was neither a haven for criminals nor drug dealers.

Mr. Alochukwu Egbobe, the Unit Chairman of Oba Old Road Junction Garage, shared his account of the events. "On Thursday, January 30, 2025, while having breakfast at the garage, SASA officers dragged and beat one of our drivers, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoli. When I asked their team leader about the incident, he claimed Okoli had obstructed their attempt to arrest a suspect," Egbobe explained. "Before he could finish explaining, one of the officers kicked my plate, spilling my food on me."

Egbobe further revealed that the SASA officers arrested Mr. Okoli and another individual without resistance and took them to the SASA cell at Down Flyover, Upper Iweka, where they allegedly endured mistreatment.

The incident continued the following day. "Before I arrived at the garage on Friday, January 31, 2025, I heard that SASA arrived with two buses, beat up five drivers and loaders, and drove off with a blue tipper that was loading sand," Egbobe continued. "The crash occurred soon after that."

Witnesses, Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Isikomkom, Chairman of the Loaders, and Chukwunonso Agudosi, corroborated Egbobe's statement. They confirmed that SASA operatives beat up drivers and loaders without explanation. "The SASA officers forced Chibueze, the owner of the blue tipper, out of the vehicle and arrested him and his loaders, using violence. One officer jumped into the tipper, drove it onto the expressway, with two buses following behind. The crash happened suddenly," they said.

Comrade Ogechukwu Ndozie, President of the God's Own Tipper Owners and Drivers Association, extended condolences to the families of the victims. "I pray for the strength to bear the loss and the speedy recovery of those injured, including our drivers and loaders who were in the bus during the crash," Ndozie said.

He emphasized that the association had never been involved in criminal activity. "We've been in existence for over 20 years without any issues. I am surprised by the false claims against us, which I believe are an attempt to tarnish our image," he said, calling for better training and screening of SASA operatives.

Ndozie also criticized a statement by SASA spokesperson Karen James, who named various figures, including hotel owners, as alleged sponsors of the crash. Ndozie urged journalists to conduct thorough investigations before publishing unverified information.

Meanwhile, Nze Ifeanyi Onwupenata, owner of Kaima Hotel, which was linked to the incident by SASA, expressed his disbelief. "I was in Enugu at the time of the accident and am puzzled by the false claims made against me," he said. "This appears to be a deliberate attempt to damage my reputation."

 

 

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