The Abia State Harmonized Task Force (ASHTF) has dismissed as misleading a viral video circulating on social media, which falsely depicts a confrontation between police officers attached to the task force and a bus driver.
In a press statement, the ASHTF media team clarified that the incident in question occurred when task force officials, in the course of their lawful duties in Umuahia, observed several coaster buses obstructing the entrance of a loading park, causing traffic congestion. While most drivers complied with directives to clear the area, one driver refused outrightly, leading to further engagement by the officers.
The statement explained that during enforcement, a police officer boarded the bus to ensure compliance.
”In response to this defiance, a police officer attached to our Umuahia team entered the coaster bus to ensure compliance and directed the driver to move the vehicle out of the road”.
“The driver, possibly ulterior motives, conveyed the policeman away and suddenly diverted the vehicle to an unknown route. Sensing suspicious behaviour, the police escort vehicle pursued him to ascertain his intentions until he was stopped”, the release added.
According to the release, during the chase, the situation escalated as the driver physically assaulted the officer inside the vehicle, allegedly biting him severely and stabbing him multiple times with a screwdriver.
The injured officer further reported that the driver attempted to seize his rifle, prompting his colleagues to intervene and rescue him from further harm.
Given the gravity of the assault, officers moved to arrest the driver, but he resisted and created a scene, which was later selectively recorded and circulated online to misrepresent the facts.
ASHTF has condemned the spread of this distorted narrative, urging the public to disregard the misleading footage and support the efforts
“We call on members of the public to always verify information before jumping to conclusions and to support efforts of the government’s agents aimed at maintaining peace and security in our dear state”, the statement mentioned.
Abia State Harmonized Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and human rights while carrying out its duties. The task force emphasized fairness, accountability, and integrity in all operations, ensuring public trust and adherence to the law.
