Plateau govt demands probe after VIO officials’ confrontation in Jos

The Plateau State Government has called for an investigation into an altercation involving Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) officials on an enforcement operation along Ahmadu Bello Way in Jos.

The incident, captured in a video circulating on social media, shows the VIO officials involved in a confrontation, prompting the state government to condemn what it described as an affront to constituted authority.

The Commissioner for Transport, Davou Jatau, in a statement issued by his office, urged security agencies to investigate the incident, establish what led to the confrontation and identify those responsible.

The commissioner said anyone found culpable should face the full consequences of the law.

“The Plateau State Ministry of Transport has condemned the incident involving officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office while carrying out their lawful duties along Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos,” the statement said.

The government did not provide details of what triggered the confrontation, nor did it disclose whether any of the officials or other persons involved sustained injuries.

It said the video currently circulating on social media showed “an altercation involving the officials in the course of their official assignment.”

The government’s intervention comes months after the state reviewed the operations of its VIO following allegations of misconduct, harassment and excessive enforcement by some personnel.

A committee set up by the government to examine the allegations submitted its report in April, after which the state appointed a new VIO director.

Against that backdrop, the ministry said it viewed the latest confrontation seriously and would not tolerate violence, intimidation or obstruction directed at government officials performing their statutory duties.

Mr Jatau warned that no individual or group had the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances or perceived provocation.

“Any grievance against government officials should be addressed through lawful and appropriate channels,” the commissioner said.

The government urged residents to conduct themselves responsibly and refrain from actions capable of undermining public order or obstructing officials in the performance of their duties.

It also directed the relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated the law.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court affirms judgement barring VIOs from impounding vehicles, imposing fines on motorists

The Plateau government reiterated its commitment to protecting its officials and ensuring that government agencies are able to discharge their statutory responsibilities.

However, questions remain over the circumstances that preceded the confrontation seen in the video, with the government yet to publicly provide a detailed account of how the incident began.

The outcome of the proposed investigation is therefore expected to clarify what transpired on Ahmadu Bello Way and determine whether any of the parties involved breached the law.