A yet-to-be-identified member of the Sapele vigilante group has been arrested and detained by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Sapele, Delta State, following a tragic incident that claimed the life of a young girl and left the rider of a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as Okada, critically injured.
The unfortunate incident occurred along Okpe Road, near the popular Foodland fast-food eatery, when the vigilante driver, in a bid to hurriedly leave the scene of a traffic altercation, reversed his Sienna vehicle at high speed without checking his rear, hitting the unsuspecting victims who were behind him.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to newsmen said the chaos started when a motorist was intercepted by officials of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) over alleged violation of traffic regulations. As tempers flared between the motorist and DESTMA operatives, one of the officials reportedly contacted a vigilante officer to come and arrest the motorist.
“The vigilante guy arrived in a flash, behaving like he was on some military mission,” said a lady who gave her name simply as Mama Akpomedaye. “Before anyone could blink, the matter between the DESTMA men and the driver was resolved. But the vigilante man, in his haste to leave, jumped into his Sienna vehicle, slammed it in reverse without looking, and crushed a young girl and the Okada rider behind him.”
The victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by a tricycle (Keke Napep) operator and other good Samaritans, but the girl was pronounced dead on arrival. The Okada rider is reportedly receiving treatment for severe injuries.
A police source at the Sapele Division, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed the incident to newsmen.
“Yes, the vigilante is in our custody. We’re investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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