The Chief Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Officer in Rivers State, Engineer Monibo Akobo, has addressed a viral social media video which claims a court judgment in Abuja barred VIO officers from carrying out roadside inspections. He said the claim has triggered repeated attacks on officers during field operations.
Speaking on NigeriaInfo's Hard Facts with Sam Oracle, Akobo said one of his officers was recently hit by a commercial driver while on duty. He added that some motorists now confront officers physically, while others face assaults from hoodlums during enforcement activities.
Akobo explained that the Vehicle Inspection Office evolved from the Police in 1939. He said the VIO operates as a state parastatal with the mandate to inspect vehicles on all roads within the state. He noted that the Federal Road Safety Corps focuses on federal highways and was originally set up for accident rescue and public safety education before expanding its enforcement duties.
He listed the required documents for private vehicle owners as a roadworthiness certificate, a vehicle licence, proof of ownership, and valid insurance. He said any vehicle without these documents has no legal right to operate on public roads.
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