By casca ohanele
Transporters operating in Owerri the Imo State Capital have decried the illegal operation and extortion from drivers by men of the Imo State Joint Task Force on Transport.
One of the drivers operating between Okigwe road and Anara, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity noted that members of the task force have turned the drivers to ATM where they resort to syphone money when ever they like. He noted that the task force has been suspended since three weeks yet they come out at will to extort money in collaboration with some of their big ogas in the office.
At the scene in front of Government College Owerri yesterday, men of the task force were see struggling with a Hiace driver, who they insisted must pay some amount of money or be taken to their office. The scene which attracted passers by drew the attention of some police men who came to know what was happening. Our reporter noted that the task force operatives who were said to be on illegal duty asking for daily operational tickets from bus drivers, noticing that people were getting more inquisitive, bundled the driver into their vehicle and drove away to an undisclosed location raising fears that the driver may be hurt if he refuses to cooperate.
