Two male individuals lost their lives in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Monday afternoon, following a fatal collision allegedly caused by speeding operatives of the Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO).
The tragic incident occurred along Akachi Road, in proximity to Wetheral Road, and has since provoked widespread public condemnation over the alleged reckless conduct and operational excesses of ENTRACO personnel.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the deceased were traveling on a commercial motorcycle en route to Alaba Spare Parts Market when a vehicle driven by ENTRACO operatives, reportedly at high speed, collided with them, resulting in their immediate death.
An eyewitness identified as Mr. Chidiebube Okeoma recounted, “They were on a bike heading to Alaba Market when the government officials, acting as task-force agents, rammed into them, causing their instant death. The state government must restrain these operatives from further acts of mayhem. They have caused enough damage.”
Video footage obtained by our correspondent on Monday depicted a gruesome scene: one victim’s legs were severely mangled, with a foot trapped in the motorcycle’s wheel, while the other victim sustained fatal head injuries. Both men were observed lying lifeless in a pool of blood.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for former Deputy Governor Dr. Walter Duru demanded the immediate suspension and prosecution of ENTRACO leadership, alleging criminal culpability.
Dr. Duru, in a statement published on his verified social media account, declared: “ENTRACO leadership in Imo State should be prosecuted for murder. Enough of the killing of innocent citizens.” In a subsequent post, he added, “Time to disband ENTRACO in Imo State. It has become a rogue organisation.”
Similarly, another eyewitness, Mr. Godslight Nwaorgu, lamented: “ENTRACO just killed two vibrant young men this afternoon. Their legs and brains were torn apart. I couldn’t hold back my tears. One of the victims is someone I personally know. ENTRACO must be stopped; otherwise, the public will resist them.”
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Imo State Police Command proved unsuccessful, as calls placed to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, were unanswered, with his mobile line switched off at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, attempts to reach the spokesperson for the ENTRACO General Manager, Mr. Darlington Ibekwe, were unsuccessful, as his official communication line was also unreachable.#newsafro_
