Bribe Taking DESTMA Officer Exposed After Embarrassing Security Consultant

By Patrick Ochei

Information reaching our news desk has it that an alleged corrupt traffic officer of the Delta State Traffic Management Agency (DESTMA), one Mr. Okafor Peter has been exposed after embarrassing a security consultant and making him part with a reasonable amount of money worth settling the fine for the offence alleged to have been committed.

This medium can authoritatively report that the officer was caught in the act, which provoked the Director General of the Agency, Commander Azubuike Sam Idah and prompted him to order the officer back to office where he was humiliated too and demobilised alongside his accomplices.

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A source within DESTMA confided in our correspondent by saying that he had never seen the DG so provoked before now.

He said the security consultant after the embarrassing moment with the officer, found a way to reach the DG who asked him to come over to the office to make an official complaint.

It was gathered that Mr. Idah had asked him to identify the alleged corrupt officer and supervisor at that point (DBS Traffic junction), which he did.

Having confirmed the truth in the stranger’s complaint, the Director of Operations was directed to take the kits from the officers and remove them from the patrol team. We can reliably confirm that they would be dealt with administratively.

Further investigation about the security consultant revealed that the man was a stranger on an official engagement in town.

An eye witness who pleaded anonymity, said the man was answering call obviously to get direction from somebody when he was accosted by the DESTMA officers.

It was gathered that he pulled over, but instead of listening to his plea, they started embarrassing him to the extent that he was visibly humiliated. All efforts to get them to understand that he was a stranger in town trying to find his way proved abortive as they eventually demanded that he paid them.

The source affirmed that he parted with the money they demanded before he was allowed to go, even though he had identified himself to them.

The issue of bribery and corruption had become a stinking stigma in DESTMA and this particular incident had once again, confirmed that the officers only receive fines for themselves and not as revenue for government.

For this reason, the action of the Director General is adjudged commendable, if for anything, to help redeem the battered image of the Agency and use this expose as a deterrent to others who may want to toe this same corrupt line in future.