Brave Abia Drivers Foil Robbery Attempt on Expressway, Honoured by Cooperative Motor Union
Two courageous Coaster bus drivers have been commended and rewarded by the Cooperative Motor Union of Abia State for thwarting a robbery attempt along the Aba–Umuahia axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, demonstrating exceptional vigilance and bravery in the face of a life-threatening situation.
The drivers, whose identities were not immediately disclosed for security reasons, were transporting passengers from Aba to Umuahia when their buses were infiltrated by six armed men posing as passengers. According to eyewitness accounts and union officials, the criminals had carefully split into both buses in a coordinated effort to rob travelers mid-journey
Trouble began when one of the fake passengers attempted to force the first driver to stop at a suspicious location using threats and intimidation. Sensing danger, the driver refused to comply, increased his speed, and headed straight to the Isialangwa military checkpoint located along the expressway.
At the checkpoint, the driver quickly raised an alarm. Soldiers on duty conducted an immediate search, leading to the arrest of some of the suspects.
Through effective communication with the second driver—whose vehicle was following closely—the remaining criminals in the second bus were also intercepted by military personnel. All six suspects were taken into custody for further investigation.
In recognition of their heroic actions, the President of the Cooperative Motor Union, Mr. Chukwuma Azode, presented the drivers with cash rewards and special loading privileges in their respective parks. He praised their bravery and quick thinking, which not only protected the lives of passengers but also contributed significantly to public safety.
“This act of courage is a clear result of the consistent orientation and safety training we give our drivers,” said Mr. Azode.
“They did not just save their own lives; they saved every single passenger and helped our security forces capture men who intended to cause harm.”
Mr. Azode used the occasion to urge all commercial drivers across the state to remain alert, proactive, and cooperative with security agencies. He emphasized that drivers play a crucial role in intelligence gathering and the safety of the commuting public.
“We encourage our members to emulate this good example and always report suspicious behavior to law enforcement immediately,” he said.
The President further commended the Nigerian Army personnel stationed at Isialangwa for their swift and effective response in apprehending the criminals.
This incident is a notable success story in the fight against road crimes, and a reminder that public safety often depends on alertness and collaboration between civilians and security operatives. The proactive actions of these two drivers have been widely praised by the traveling public and have set a new standard for crisis response among commercial drivers in the region.
The Cooperative Motor Union pledged to intensify its efforts in driver safety orientation programs and to continue supporting all members who show dedication to passenger safety and responsible conduct on the road.:
