The Chairman of the Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria (MTUN), Ebonyi State chapter, Comrade Ekuma Nicholas, has reacted to last week’s killing of a motorcycle operator in Abakaliki, calling on the Nigeria Police Force to urgently retrain its officers to prevent a recurrence.
Ekuma spoke against the backdrop of an ongoing police investigation into the fatal shooting of Nwanchor Uwazuruike, who was reportedly shot by a police operative during a patrol operation around Hariz Filling Station at about 10:30pm on Tuesday.
The MTUN chairman described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, stressing that improved training and professional conduct by officers would help rebuild trust between security agencies and commercial motorcycle operators.
“It is very sad. I want the Commissioner of Police and those in charge to retrain their men. If police stop a bike man in a normal way, he will stop because police is our friend. But when too much pressure is mounted on riders, fear sets in,” Ekuma said.
He explained that Okada riders often panic when confronted aggressively by security operatives due to past experiences of harassment and extortion, although he maintained that fleeing from the police is not the right response.
Ekuma further highlighted the role of motorcycle operators in supporting security efforts, noting that riders serve as important sources of grassroots intelligence due to their daily movement across communities.
“We partner with the police because we give them information. Whatever is happening in any street, the Okada man usually hears it first,” he added.
The MTUN chairman also used the opportunity to advise members of the union to remain law-abiding and avoid confrontation with security agents.
“If police stop you, stop. Don’t fight them. If there is intimidation, call me. Every member has my number. Obey the law so we don’t create more problems,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that officers involved in the incident have been taken into custody, adding that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough, impartial and professional investigation.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is handling the probe to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the shooting.