Edo Taskforce Fires Official for Stealing Steering From Driver in Viral Video
The Coordinator of the Edo State Public Response Safety Team (PRST), Kelly Okungbowa, announced on Thursday that the agency’s official seen in a viral video struggling with a bus driver over the steering has been dismissed.
In the 27-second video that surfaced online, the unidentified PRST official was filmed attempting to seize control of the vehicle’s steering from the driver, while the passengers frantically pleaded for both the driver and the officer to stop, expressing concerns for their safety.
The official, however, was heard justifying his actions, claiming that the driver was attempting to evade him.
Okungbowa condemned the officer’s actions, stating that such behavior was unacceptable and clarifying that the PRST was not opposed to drivers but instead worked to ensure order on the roads.
“I want to apologize to the public for the conduct of our officer in that video. There is no perfect society, and the person at fault has been sacked to serve as a deterrent to others in the Commission,” Okungbowa said. “To the drivers, I want to reassure them that we are not their enemies, but their allies. Our role is to ensure order, especially in Benin City, and to help drivers know where they should and shouldn’t stop, pick up, and drop off passengers.”
Okungbowa also expressed frustration with the recurring conflicts between drivers and the taskforce, urging the public to report any misconduct. “I can’t be everywhere at once, but anyone found in the wrong will be dealt with,” he added.
While the officer was dismissed, Okungbowa also criticized the driver’s actions. He condemned the driver for taking the officer from his assigned duty to an unknown location, describing it as an act of self-help that was unjustifiable.
“While the officer’s behavior was wrong, we also need to address the actions of the driver. He took the officer away from his beat, which is completely unacceptable. His behavior, too, is condemned in the strongest terms,” Okungbowa stated.
