Anambra: ARTMA Attacked CAN Chairman, Carted Away Valuables
By Onyinyechi Eze
The Anambra State chairman of Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ven. Joseph Nweke, was about 4pm on Friday, reportedly attacked by suspected members of Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency, ARTMA, at DMGS round-about axis, Onitsha.
He was said to have received several blows as he was being battered for questioning their identity when they bounced on him over alleged traffic offence.
His car battery, plate number, money, among other valuables were removed on the process and they quickly zoomed off to avoid attack by sympathizers who rained curses on them for attacking a cleric.
Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the assailants, Ven. Nweke said, “I escaped being killed 8 hours to my Diamond jubilee celebration, (60 years birthday, billed for Saturday by hoodlums who claimed to be working for the state government.
“I invited Governor Charles Soludo to the celebration which I will play host to guests who will come from all walks of life as it is a celebration of my stay on earth for now,” he stated.
“My problem started with them when I was driving after the DMGS round-about and a tricycle in front of me was stopped by the gang that were on plain clothes. On the process, one of them rushed to me and asked me why I was blocking the road and I told him that the tricycle they stopped was the cause as it was in front of me.
“He immediately started dragging with my car key and on the process his members started looting my car, they removed the battery, plate number, all that were in the pigeon hole, money, among others.
“They quickly rushed and put on their aprons when sympathizers were shouting that they were thieves and fled the scene.
“I have reported the incident to the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Mr. Gregory Itobere and the Inland town Divisional Police Officer, Mrs Tina who has asked her men to ensure the safety of the car that was abandoned at the scene of the incident,” he stated.
Pic shows the victim by the side of his car shortly after the incidence.
