Posted by By VAL OKARA, Owerri on
The Imo State Police Command has arrested six motor park touts allegedly resposible for the March 4 trailer accident that claimed the lives of five students of Owerri Girls Secondary School at Assumpta Avenue Roundabout, Owerri.
The Imo State Police Command has arrested six motor park touts allegedly resposible for the March 4 trailer accident that claimed the lives of five students of Owerri Girls Secondary School at Assumpta Avenue Roundabout, Owerri.
Briefing newsmen in Owerri Tuesday, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Hezekiah Dimka said that the driver of the trailer, Mr Elechukwu Chibuike was arrested, while the other six suspects who disappeared were later apprehended at various locations in the state.
Among those arrested were Fidelis Orji (alias Gentle), Chukwuemeka Azubike, Ikechukwu Odueze (alias IK), Chinedu Anaka, Ifeanyi Nwachukwu and Ahamefule Okoro.
Mr Dimka, who disclosed that a prima facie case of manslaughter has been established against the suspects including the driver of the trailer, adding that they would be arraigned in court after further investigation.
The Police boss alleged that touts (agberos) were believed to be empolyees of the State taskforce who were operating from Somachi company premises of Owerri Modern market along Egbu Road were instrumental to the tragic accident as a red Volvo car used during the operation on the fateful day had be impounded.
He alleged that the suspects (agberos) were struggling for the control of the steering of the vehicle with the driver, an action which led to the trailer running over a number of students, culminating in the instant death of two, while others sustained severe injures.
"Having got into the vehicle the agberos started struggling with the driver to take over control of the steering from him. The ensuing struggle resulted in loss of control by the actual driver and in the process the trailer derailed and ran over a number of students."
Daily Sun recalls that, on March 4, a trailer truck marked Lagos XH 963 MUS believed to be coming from Elele in Rivers State, killed five students of Owerri Girls Secondary School and injured many others.
Following the fatal accident, Chief Achike Udenwa banned all taskforces operating in the state and directed the police to arrest anybody suspected to be touting.
The names of the deceased students were Miss Immaculate Chiamaka, Ezinne Ugwushie, Asaobi Mbagwu, Success Chilaka and Chizoma Agoha.