Abia State Harmonized Task Force (ASHTF) has raised alarm over the increased impersonation of its personnel and operatives by criminal elements who are harassing and extorting the members of the public.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Harmonized Task Force, Uzor Nwachukwu, the ASHTF explained that its members were not responsible for the recent incident where a female driver was harassed by criminals masquerading as genuine members of the Task Force in the state.

The unidentified female truck driver, DAILY POST gathered, was conveying some products but was stopped by touts along Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road who allegedly demanded bribe from her if she must be allowed to continue her journey.

But the female truck driver was said to have refused the demands of the touts, making some of the touts to attempt climbing up the high vehicle to “teach her a lesson”.

But in anger, the female truck driver was said to have blocked the road with the trailer before escaping to an unknown place, thereby creating serious traffic congestion which later attracted the attention of the Abia State government officials to the scene to restore order.

But reacting to the ugly development, the Chairman of ASHTF, Uzor Nwachukwu, who is also the Abia State Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, said that the administration of Governor Alex Otti remained steadfast in its commitment to uphold the highest standards of conduct and professionalism within all her agencies, including ASHTF.

He said that harassment or misconduct by officials of ASHTF would not be condoned, adding that high disciplinary measures have been established to ensure accountability and transparency in the discharge of task force members’ duties.

“Furthermore, we wish to emphasize the government’s readiness and determination to crackdown on any driver and operative found culpable of violations or criminal activities within the state,” he said.

He mandated the police and members of the public to arrest anyone or a group of persons operating in the name of ASHTF without the approved government ID cards.

The blocking of the Umuahia road by the female truck driver came about one month after some truck drivers blocked one lane of Aba-Ikot-Ekpene Federal road in Obingwa LGA, in protest that one of their members was allegedly injured by task force members.

The Obingwa protest, which lasted for many hours, was only suspended after the local government Chairman of Obingwa, Eric Egwuibe paid the the hospital bill of the injured driver.