On Monday, July 22, 2024, Hon. Frank Onwumere, Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Imo State on Motor Parks Supervision and Illegal Parking, orchestrated a successful operation to apprehend a group of deceitful vehicle operators in Owerri.
Acting on a credible security tip-off, Onwumere and his team targeted individuals notorious for operating as “One-Chance Operators.” These criminals masquerade as commercial vehicle drivers, preying on unsuspecting passengers to rob them, and sometimes even resorting to violence or murder.
The coordinated operation unfolded at the Douglas Road/Garden Park Junction in Owerri. The perpetrators used keke buses (commercial tricycles) to execute their illicit activities. The media, accompanying the SA’s Monitoring Crew, documented the arrests and confirmed the suspects as infamous transit fraudsters. Police officers on the scene identified these individuals as habitual offenders who had continually defied prior warnings against illegal vehicular activities in the area.
During the operation, Hon. Onwumere handed over the detained suspects to the Police Traffic unit, which had arrived in an operational Hilux vehicle from ShallCamp Owerri. Despite the successful apprehension of three scammers, two others managed to flee and remain at large.
In a press briefing following the arrests, Hon. Onwumere highlighted the critical need for passengers to use government-sanctioned motor parks for their transportation needs. He warned against the dangers of patronizing illegal operators, stressing that such vigilance could prevent further incidents. “This event underscores the vital importance of utilizing designated motor parks for safe travel,” Onwumere remarked. “The Shared Prosperity Government, under Governor Hope Uzodimma, is steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of Imo State residents.”
Hon. Onwumere’s decisive and rapid response in this operation underscores the continuous efforts of the Imo State government to ensure public safety and security. His leadership exemplifies the proactive measures being implemented to combat crime and protect the community.
Onwumere emphasized, “People should stop entering vehicles on the roadside; they should use the government-authorized parks.”
