Police Arraign Four Over Blockage Of Highways, Threat To Public Peace

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, said it has charged four suspects to Court for alleged deliberate obstruction of public highways.

The Source reports that the State Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammad Azare, had in January 2025, warned against the blocking of highways for the purpose of protest or for any other reasons capable of breaching peace and security.

At an interactive session with youth groups, community leaders and civil society organizations, CP Azare ,cautioned against resort to self-help measures such as blocking roads during protest matches noting that such acts have, over time, proven to be against the interest of  peace and security in the State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Timfon John  its spokesperson, the Akwa Ibom state police authorities informed that the four suspects were found to have used their long vehicles ( trucks ) in blocking the highway in protest against another truck driver who accidentally hit a tricycle operator.

“The incident took place at about 2100hrs when a truck driver attached to Sterling Global Construction Company, recklessly hit a tricycle rider conveying passengers, causing damage to the tricycle and injury to the passengers.

In an attempt to prevent the truck driver from fleeing, other truck drivers -four in number – mobilized and deliberately blocked the public highway, disrupting vehicular movement .

Police officers made frantic efforts to de-escalate the situation and restore normalcy, but were resisted by the truck drivers.

The four trucks were consequently impounded and taken to thr station while the four suspects were arrested, investigated and charged to Court accordingly”, part of the police statement reads .

The Command, while reaffirming its commitment towards ensuring law and order, also, called on the public to always conduct  themselves responsibly ,as well as cooperate with the Police in fostering a safe and orderly society .