Atrocities Of Disbanded Imo Taskforce And Governor Uzodimma’s Sledgehammer

Just last week, lives were lost and destinies cut short due to the recklessness of operatives of the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) in Owerri. Two men on a motorbike were crushed to death after the taskforce seized a defaulter’s vehicle and insisted on driving it themselves. Although Governor Hope Uzodimma has since ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of their operations, the pressing question remains, for how long, and how many more lives, will such enforcement continue to destroy? ANGELA NKWO-AKPOLU, writes .

Until last week’s tragic incident, which claimed the lives of two promising young men, fear, terror, and apprehension were commonly used to describe how the average trader or road user in Owerri perceived the operatives of the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) during the discharge of their duties.

The enforcement team, whose mandate was to curb indiscipline and ensure environmental order, had reportedly become reckless, taking over car steering, disregarding traffic rules, and exposing roadside traders to unnecessary danger.

They rubbed out the good intentions of the government, which aimed to create a London-like atmosphere, serene, well-coordinated, and orderly. Instead of promoting discipline and environmental compliance, the actions of some of the ENTRACO operatives instilled fear among traders and motorists, undermining the very objectives the government sought to achieve.

Thanks to the no-nonsense Governor Hope Uzodimma, who, in response to the tragic incident, ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of all field operations of ENTRACO.

The directive followed the crushing to  deaths of two men on a motorbike by speeding operatives of the commission in Owerri, the Imo State capital, two Mondays ago. The suspension , according to the governor, is aimed at preventing further loss of life and reviewing the conduct and operational protocols of the commission.

The incident, which occurred along Akachi Road near Wetheral Road, sparked widespread outrage over the excesses of ENTRACO operatives.

LEADERSHIP  Sunday  findings revealed that the operatives had seized a Ford Edge (SEL) jeep and insisted on driving it themselves to their office, rather than allowing the owner, who may have been familiar with any technical issues to do so. Tragically, the vehicle collided with two men on a motorbike, killing them instantly.

The agency in a statement signed by it’s director of operations (DOP), Mr. Ifeanyi Nwokedi,  condemned the incident but disclosed that the officials had been handed over to the Imo State Police command.

Nwokedi said “We strongly condemn this unfortunate and avoidable incident, which has left the ENTRACO family in mourning. Our sincerest condolences go to the bereaved family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim for a swift and full recovery.

“We assure the public that the ENTRACO staff involved has been handed over to the Nigerian Police for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are committed to cooperating fully with the authorities to ensure transparency and justice”, he stated.

Before the ban on field operations, residents had complained about the excesses of ENTRACO operatives especially the physical assault and flagrant abuse of their rights. Some people alleged that the operatives were extension of cult attacks.

Following the recently completed commissioned Assumpta Flyover at Control post, aggressive ENTRACO operatives, decided it was time to unleash terror on road users.

From the stretch of Holy Ghost College to Owerri Girls Secondary school, the operatives said there was no bus stops. As a result, students and other passengers in commercial vehicles were forced to trek from NNPC station beside Holy Ghost college as the drivers refused to stop. Traders along the walkways in the markets dreaded them as they were known to storm such places and cart away goods in a flash.

An elderly woman clearly an Octogenarian had appealed to a bus driver to stop her just in front of First Bank after the Flyover which the young man agreed to.

Barely had he stopped when men who had reduced their job to thuggery, jumped out from hiding and descended on the driver for agreeing to assist the woman.

Before he could say Jack, he was dragged out from his bus, rough handled and his earnings fleeced off him in what was clearly an armed attack without any receipt. Tears rolled off his eyes because he had assisted a senior citizen.

A bus driver, Emmanuel said upon impoundment and arrival at ENTRACO office, drivers paid ₦1,000 as deflation fee to avoid ENTRACO officials to deflate the tyre.

Then administration fees of N2,000 for coming to their Aba Road office. Another N1,000 for gate pass. Then the main fine depends on the bargaining power of the driver. But it is nothing less than 16,000 for any offence and can be as high as N50,000.

Emmanuel said “payment for pollution ticket is N5000 but if a driver is caught, the fine is N20,000 and above. ENTRACO operatives will claim that any emblem payment from Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) is not binding on them, nothing but sheer madness to rip us off.

“The funny thing is that they collect pollution fees from non-smoking vehicles. Let’s just say that anything ENTRACO fine depends on your bargaining power.

“One can be fined wrong parking, beating traffic light, and even driving against traffic which they are the biggest offenders”, Emmanuel said.

Another driver said ENTRACO operatives inflict body harm on them and with impunity and intimidation.

Emeka said “the day they impounded my bus, seven men jumped out from a bus and pounced on me. They beat me blue-black. They forced me to part with N16,000 to redeem my bus battery from them”.

The scary part was that the ENTRACO operatives always looked dangerous, wielding weapons like spanner, sticks, and reeking of alcohol or substance use. It was near impossible to see them display anything within decorum and motorists dreaded them.

LEADERSHIP Sunbday writes that , with the ban on all field operations, motorists can finally heave a sigh of relief, even as concerns linger that their activities could fall under the scrutiny of another government agency, not to regulate, but to exploit or cause harm. Similarly, roadside traders may also feel relieved, no longer at risk of losing their wares to ENTRACO officials. However, the suspension underscores the urgent need for the state government to restructure the agency’s operations to reflect a more humane approach.

Governor Hope Uzodimma has hinted at setting up a panel of inquiry to investigate the activities of ENTRACO, urging members of the public to come forward with complaints. It is crucial that abuses by operatives are thoroughly investigated to redefine their conduct and prevent future tragedies. No government agency should wield its power to inflict harm. Law and order can and must be enforced without bloodshed, and Governor Uzodimma is called upon to protect the people of Imo State.

This is also a wake-up call for governments at all levels to regularly review the activities of their taskforces to forestall abuses, ensure accountability, and protect the rights and safety of citizens.