Police officers fight over impounded motorcycles

Policemen saddled with the responsibility of impounding banned motorcycles in Calabar, Cross River State capital on Friday embarked on free for all fight in front of Governor’s office.

Our findings revealed that the Policemen fought over who should take the custody of some motorcycles which were impounded and brought to the former office of Emergency Response Center (ERC), located directly opposite the governor’s office.

Two vehicles loaded with the impounded were brought to the ERC opposite the first gate of the Governor’s office and after a lot of argument among the policemen, some of whom were hooded; they eventually drove into the ERC premises where the argument developed into fisticuffs.

Though no death was recorded, some sustained injuries. Recall that since the government of former Governor Liyel Imoke stopped operations of motorcycle within Calabar metropolis, policemen from different stations have been going after the operators, pursuing them even to remote areas where motorcycle operation is not even banned.

According to a policeman who was watching over the armoured vehicle permanently placed at the entrance of the governor’s gate and pleaded for anonymity said, “trouble started when a Policeman demanded the removal of one of the motorcycles, claiming that it belongs to one of his relations”.

“He attempted to remove the bike outside the ERC gate but the driver sped off into the premises and he went in only for others to start dragging him. When they started dragging him, some of his friends who are also Policemen joined in the fight and that is why the thing has escalated.”

He continued; “They have called the State Security Adviser and he has not come. My fear is that they should not start shooting because if they do that, it will attract the attention of the governor who is still in the office at the time of the incident.”

As the fight was going on however, the governor’s outrider sounded the siren, a traditional indication that the governor was prepared to leave the office, which made all the contenders disperse.
A passerby, who gave his name as Chief Effiong Okon Bassey and who stood to watch the whole drama said.

“They know what they are fighting for because anytime they arrest these cyclists, they will find a way of locating the owner and he will come and pay money before they release it. They are disgracing themselves because of the money they hope to get from owners of those bikes.”

When contacted on phone, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Irene Ugbo said she was not aware but promised to investigate the matter with a view to bringing the affected Policemen to face the music.

Edem Bassey, Calabar