By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has launched a manhunt for the driver of a tipper truck captured driving against traffic and crossing through a drainage channel along the busy Building Materials–Nkpor Flyover axis, warning that such reckless conduct will never be tolerated in the state.
ARTMA disclosed this in a public notice issued on Thursday by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Emeka Konti-Okonkwo (Konti-Komplete), who said the Agency had already activated its intelligence and database resources to identify and apprehend the offending driver and vehicle.
According to the notice, the truck was intercepted in a video recorded during ARTMA’s routine monitoring patrol, where the driver was seen driving against the flow of traffic before navigating through a drainage channel to access the opposite carriageway.
Engr. Konti-Okonkwo described the action as dangerous, unlawful and capable of causing fatal accidents, while also destroying public infrastructure built with taxpayers’ money.
“It is unfortunate that some tipper truck drivers have become among the worst traffic offenders on our roads. Many routinely drive across medians and through drainage channels to move from one carriageway to another, endangering lives while causing extensive damage to public infrastructure,” he stated.
The ARTMA Boss stressed that the Agency would henceforth pursue, arrest and prosecute motorists found engaging in such traffic violations until full compliance with traffic regulations is achieved across the state.
As part of efforts to track down the suspect, the Agency appealed to members of the public to volunteer credible information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the driver, assuring that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The Agency also announced that a reward awaits anyone whose information leads to the successful arrest of the suspect, urging members of the public to contact ARTMA through its official emergency line, 08144228836.
Engr. Konti-Okonkwo reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforcing traffic laws and protecting public infrastructure, noting that reckless driving has no place in Anambra State.
He emphasized that law and order are parts of the key and foundational pillars of the government of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his “Soludo Solution” agenda for the state, stressing that traffic regulations and public assets must be well respected towards a safer and more orderly Anambra.
Watch the video below:
The latest development comes barely one week after ARTMA declared another truck driver wanted for mounting and climbing through the median on the newly-constructed Amawbia–Uga Dual Carriageway during which he was captured in a viral video.
Following that public appeal, the Agency arrested the driver within hours, impounded the truck and commenced legal proceedings against him, attributing the success to credible information supplied by members of the public in respect to its appeal.
The ARTMA Boss said the swift arrest demonstrated that violators of traffic laws and those who vandalise public infrastructure would continue to face the full weight of the law, even as he urged Ndi Anambra to sustain their support by reporting traffic offenders and other unlawful activities on the roads.
“Solution is here,” he declared.
Watch the video below:
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