DESTMA to Go Tough on Abduction of Officers by Motorists, Says Defaulting Vehicle Owner Attempts to Evade Arrest

By Admin 

The Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) has said it will no longer tolerate motorists who abduct its officers while attempting to evade arrest during lawful operations.

The Director-General of DESTMA, Dr. Benjamin Okiemute, condemned the trend during a press briefing held at his office in Asaba.

Dr. Okiemute explained that the agency’s main role is to partner with the public in achieving its core mandate of ensuring the free flow of traffic on federal and state roads across Delta State.

He said, "Since DESTMA was established in 2013 and officially commenced field operations on April 14, 2016, the agency has continued to evolve by restructuring its operations and refining enforcement strategies.”

He noted that internal discipline and operational efficiency remain key priorities, saying the creation of specialized units, DESTMA Marshal, has expanded traffic management to strategic areas across the state where coverage was previously inadequate.

Okiemute maintained that the agency highly values constructive feedback, timely information, and public cooperation, stressing that such support is vital to saving lives and keeping roads free from traffic congestion.

He, however, expressed concern over what he described as dangerous trends capable of undermining DESTMA’s operations.

He said, “Lately, we have witnessed highly dangerous behaviour from traffic offenders. Upon being stopped for traffic violations, some motorists, instead of complying, attempt to escape by speeding off with our officers trapped inside their vehicles.”“This effectively turns a routine traffic stop into an abduction and hostage situation, putting the lives of the officers and other road users at extreme risk. In panic, these fleeing motorists often crash their vehicles and subsequently attempt to manipulate public sympathy on social media.”

While citing a recent incident that occurred on Thursday, May 21, 2026, along the Effurun axis, officers stopped a Toyota Highlander SUV for a traffic route violation.

“I must state categorically, to clear any falsehoods, that Officer Wisoro did not struggle for the steering wheel with the driver. Doing so at that speed would have been suicidal. The driver crashed purely because of his own reckless speed, panic, and desperate attempt to evade arrest, causing the vehicle to mount the concrete pavement and crash into a roadside billboard.”“The driver alone was entirely responsible for the accident and has been made to bear the full cost of repairing his vehicle. No other person is liable for the self-inflicted damage.”

He added that after the crash, an angry crowd gathered at the scene while a bystander recorded a short video clip that later went viral on Facebook.

According to him, the video only captured the chaotic aftermath and failed to show the events leading to the accident, thereby misleading the public into believing that DESTMA officers caused the crash.

“It took the prompt intervention of officers from the B-Division Police Station to rescue Officer Wisoro from the misinformed crowd and transport both parties to the station, where a full police investigation is currently underway,” he said.

“We will not allow people to break traffic laws, endanger the lives of our officers, and then use social media to portray themselves as victims.”

Dr. Okiemute also condemned attempts by some traffic offenders to bribe officers to avoid having their vehicles impounded, only to later accuse officials of extortion.

“Let me state clearly that DESTMA has a zero-tolerance policy for financial misconduct. Through our Provost Unit, we are actively sanitizing the authority. We do not shield our personnel; we hold them to the highest disciplinary standards,” he said.

“To demonstrate our commitment to accountability, management has already ordered the immediate detention and investigation of two officers in Agbor involved in recent operational infractions.”

He noted that the officers are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures in line with civil service rules. “We investigate every allegation thoroughly, and traffic violations cannot be resolved through pleas or financial negotiations”

Okiemute urged members of the public not to attempt to compromise officers. “If any officer demands a bribe or engages in unprofessional conduct, do not participate. Instead, document the officer’s details and report the matter immediately through our official complaint channels for prompt disciplinary action."