The Enugu State Ministry of Transport has denied allegations circulating on social media that officers from its Vehicle Inspection Unit caused the death of a tricycle (Keke) rider. According to Odumegwu Chinwendu, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, the reports are entirely false and misleading.
The controversy began after a video went viral, showing a tricycle rider lying motionless and a female Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) injured. The incident, which took place on October 24, 2024, at WAEC Junction, has sparked widespread speculation online.
Odumegwu explained that the tricycle driver was initially stopped for a traffic violation and directed to drive to the nearby Ministry of Transport office. However, the driver panicked, attempting to flee with a Ministry official still inside his vehicle. In his haste, the tricycle lost control and overturned, leading to an accident.
“Both the driver and the VIO official were ejected from the tricycle. While the official sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized, the driver was unharmed and reportedly pretended to be dead,” Odumegwu stated.
Related NewsRULAAC Condemns Police Killing of Enugu Musician Igbo Jah, Criticizes Lack of Reform Since #EndSARS
Enugu Police Successfully Prevent Kidnapping on Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road, Recover Weapons
The Ministry reported that when Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer Val Chime arrived on the scene, he witnessed the tricycle driver quickly getting up and fleeing. The case has since been handed over to the police for further investigation.
Mr. Chime confirmed that the injured VIO officer suffered a fractured leg and is receiving medical care. He emphasized that the video’s claims of fatalities are untrue and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.
Chime urged the public to respect traffic laws, stating, “This incident could have been avoided had the driver not attempted to evade inspection.”
Social media posts accompanying the video falsely claimed that a VIO officer had died and that another was critically injured, further fueling the misinformation surrounding the incident.
