The Anambra State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ven. Joseph Nweke, has accused some officials of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency of assaulting him.

Our correspondent learnt that the incident happened at the DMGS Roundabout, in the Onitsha area of the state at about 4 pm on Friday.

It was gathered that the ARTMA officials had stopped Nweke while he was driving and were questioning him over a yet-to-be-known traffic offence.

An eyewitness who was around the scene but did not want to be named said, “The CAN chairman received several blows and he was being battered for questioning the identity of the ARTMA officials when they accosted him over an alleged traffic offence.

“His car battery, number plate, money, among other valuables, were removed in the process and the men quickly zoomed off to avoid being attacked by sympathisers who had started gathering around the scene.”

However, Nweke described his ordeal as an escape from death.

“I escaped being killed eight hours before my diamond jubilee celebration, my 60thbirthday, billed for Saturday (today), by hoodlums who claimed to be working for the state government.

“My problem started with the ARTMA officials as I drove past the DMGS Roundabout when suddenly a tricycle operator in my front was accosted and stopped by the ARTMA operatives who were in plain clothes.

“I stopped my vehicle and was watching what was happening and in the process, one of the operatives 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 my car key with me and in the process, other members started ransacking my car; they opened the bonnet and removed the battery, number plate, all that was in the pigeon hole, money, among others.”

The CAN chairman said he reported the incident to the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Gregory Itobere, and the Inland Town divisional police officer.

When contacted, the ARTMA coordinator in the area, who gave his name as Chidiebere Uka, could not confirm the development immediately as he promised to make enquiries and get back.

But he had yet to do so at the time of filing the report, despite several calls and messages sent to his telephone line. (Saturday PUNCH)