Robbers Kill Two TIMARIV Officials

Two officials of the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV) have been killed by fleeing armed robbers along the Emekuku-Agudama axis of D/Line, Port Harcourt.

In the incident which occurred in the early hours of yesterday, a police officer attached to Azikiwe Police Station was also wounded.

Eye witness told The Tide that the robbers were fleeing from the scene of a crime at Ojoto Street, Diobu when they ran into the TIMARIV officers.

Sources said the robbers on sighting the two TIMARIV officials immediately opened fire on them which resulted in their death on the spot.

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam who confirmed the story in an interview with The Tide, said that, the robbers also succeeded in robbing the owner of a wholesale drink company of N8 million.

According to him, the criminals arrived at the company in an SUV Jeep and used sledge hammers to break into the company’s safe before carting away the money.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV) says the  incident would not deter it from performing its statutory duties.

Comptroller-General of TIMARIV, Mr Nelson Jaja, while reacting to the killing, said that the agency would continue to ensure that roads in the state are safe.

Jaja who described the incident as unfortunate, said that investigation has commenced into the incident.

At the premises of the robbed company at the Ojoto-Nwachukwu Junction, Diobu, some staff who spoke under anonymity said that it was the first time the company would witness such an incident, and called for more security.