NEWS
ASTOPU UMUAHIA BREAKS SILENCE ON ABIRIBA STREET CLASH, SAYS TASK FORCE OFFICER IN COMA, EXPRESSES FEAR OVER HIS LIFE
The leadership of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), Umuahia Zone, has broken its silence over the confrontation between a tricycle operator and a task force officer attached to the union on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, along Abiriba Street in Umuahia, expressing regret over the incident while raising the alarm over the reported critical condition of the officer.
In a statement addressing the incident, the union said it regretted the confrontation and had apologised for the inconvenience caused, while also reaching out to the affected tricycle owner over the incident and the damage reportedly sustained by the tricycle.
However, ASTOPU urged members of the public to examine the video of the incident carefully and consider the sequence of events before reaching conclusions about the conduct of its task force personnel.
According to the union, the footage showed that immediately after the confrontation, the task force officer apologised to the tricycle rider and acknowledged that he had gone too far in the discharge of his official duties.
The union maintained that the confrontation could have been avoided if the tricycle operator had stopped when initially instructed by the task force officer.
Nevertheless, it acknowledged that the officer’s conduct had exceeded the acceptable limits of his duties and said the matter warranted proper attention.
ASTOPU, however, expressed particular concern over what it described as the alleged involvement of some passers-by who reportedly took the confrontation into their own hands and subjected the task force officer to further physical assault, even after an apology had been offered.
The union said the officer was allegedly beaten so severely that he had to be rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
In a disturbing development, ASTOPU disclosed that, as of Thursday morning, October 22, 2026, the doctor treating the officer had informed the union’s leadership that his condition had deteriorated and that he was reportedly in a coma, with fears for his survival due to the severity of the injuries sustained.
The union described the development as deeply troubling, stressing that disagreements involving its personnel and tricycle operators should be handled through established channels rather than through violence or mob action.
ASTOPU further clarified that tricycle operators are expected to report grievances and disputes involving task force personnel to the union’s leadership, which it said has the responsibility and established structures to investigate complaints, resolve misunderstandings and address allegations of misconduct.
According to the leadership, taking matters into one’s hands and resorting to physical violence undermines the union’s dispute-resolution mechanisms and can turn a manageable disagreement into a life-threatening situation.
The union also used the opportunity to reassure the public that ASTOPU Umuahia Zone operates an organised structure with defined responsibilities and procedures, insisting that its personnel are expected to discharge their duties within the limits of their authority.
While reiterating its apology over the incident involving the tricycle operator, ASTOPU called for calm, fairness and restraint in public reactions, urging residents not to allow disagreements to degenerate into violence.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of enforcement personnel, the conduct of union task forces and the need for peaceful mechanisms to resolve disputes involving commercial tricycle operators in Umuahia.
As the injured officer reportedly battles for his life, the union’s position is that any allegation of misconduct should be addressed through a proper investigation, while any assault on an individual should equally be treated seriously and handled through the appropriate authorities.
ASTOPU maintained that its commitment to maintaining order within the tricycle transport sector does not excuse misconduct by its personnel, just as allegations of excessive enforcement do not justify mob violence against an officer.
The union’s appeal is for the public to allow due process to prevail, with accountability and the protection of human life remaining cen
tral to resolving the incident.