Onitsha: People’s Power As Police Bursts Vehicle’s Tyre, Drivers Block Road, Demand Replacement

By Charles Igbo

The power of the people was at work a couple of days ago at Onitsha, Anambra State. And lessons were learnt. The power of the people.

Police Operatives who usually stay at the Onitsha Head Bridge, apparently, chewed more than they could swallow a couple of days ago.

According to reports, they were doing their job, and “softened” it by their usual “roger”. Meaning that as they worked, they were doing the ugly and shameful usual – collecting money from motorists.

But this was a bad  day. And motorists, particularly, articulated vehicle drivers, have had enough.

According to reports, the Policemen stopped a trailer driver, and asked him for money. But three things: It is either the driver was in a foul mood, has become tired of giving them all the time, or just had no money to give them. Whatever, he refused to pay what motorists have since dubbed “Police toll gate”.

After a little argument, the now irritated driver made to drive off. As he did so, one of the Policemen aimed at one of his tyres, and released a shot. It shattered the tyre.

That was when trouble started.

His colleagues and every other motorist around at that point in time, revolted. They blocked the ever busy and important Asaba- Onitsha road. And refused to move an inch. The traffic stretched for kilometers on end. But they insisted they would leave only if the Police purchased a new tyre to replace the one their Operative shattered.

Before one could say “jack”, a large crowd had gathered, including “agberos”. They taunted the Police. The trailer drivers began to ask questions of the Police. “Do you know what we suffer on the road? Do you know the cost of a tyre? Do you know what we suffer in your hands along the road? We don’t mind how long we stay here, but you must replace this tyre. Do you know how much we pay along the road? Which armed robber have you caught here? You only collect money from us.” It was an embarrassing scene.

But, they stuck to their demand – a new tyre or no deal. After a long standoff, the Police, somehow, actually brought a new tyre. And the jubilant crowd celebrated. Talk of people’s power. It won.