The Nation’s driver attacked, vehicle set ablaze

Joe Nwachukwu, Owerri - 13.04.2008

A vehicle belonging to the Nation newspaper, marked XM377 KSF was over the weekend, set ablaze, while the driver of the vehicle, simply called Lekan, escaped with high degree of injury.

The driver, who was carrying newspapers from the company to the South South geo-political zone, has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, for treatment.

He was said to have been attacked by a five-man gang, who had laid ambush at Rotibi Street, Owerri, awaiting the arrival of vehicles particularly, the Tribune vehicle.

Our correspondent reports that a team of mobile policemen, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Goddy Okereke, arrived the scene where he saw the driver, the vehicle and a heap of burnt Nation newspapers.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, has visited the FMC, Owerri, with some of his aides to sympathies with Mr. Lekan who is now lying critically ill at the emergency ward of the centre.

He urged the hospital authority to speed up the treatment of the victim, so that he can get out of the hospital in time.

Governor Ohakim denied government’s involvement in the incident, adding that, “those arrested on the matter should be made to face the music.”