FRSC denies stripping cab driver naked

• Man cuts off neighbour’s nose in Asaba
Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have denied stripping a cab driver naked in collaboration with soldiers they purportedly invited in the Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday.

According to the news making the rounds on social media, the man simply identified as John was allegedly “punished” by soldiers after FRSC officials invited the soldiers to help deal with the man, who was arrested over incomplete vehicle document.

An eyewitness said, “they beat the man, rolled him in a pool of stagnant water and tore off his clothes, leaving him stark naked, under the full glare of motorists and passersby.”

But the FRSC has denied the claim, adding that the man stripped himself naked and became violent to avoid being arrested.

Mr. Bisi Kazeem, head of Media Relations and Strategy of the corps, said: “The man in question was not stripped naked by soldiers in collaboration with our personnel.

“The man was an offender, who committed road obstruction but resisted arrest and became violent. As a result of his violent nature, the assistance of soldiers was sought to effect his arrest. He then stripped himself stark naked.”

He said the man was eventually arrested, handed over to the police and the vehicle impounded. The man has since been bailed from police custody and the necessary fines paid for the release of his vehicle.

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man, Uche Odinaka, has been arraigned before an Asaba Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for allegedly cutting off his neighbour’s nose.

The prosecutor, Mrs. Ekugbe Biokoro, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 7, at No. 5 Obi Street, Asaba. She said Odinaka assaulted his neighbour, Uche Ukwuraivwe and used a machete to cut the complainant’s nose during a scuffle.

Biokoro said that the offence was punishable under Section 355 of Criminal Code, Cap C21 Vol 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N120,000 and a surety in like sum. The Magistrate, Mrs. Okonkwo Akanume, adjourned the case till May 30, for hearing.