Tragedy struck in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday when a vehicle driven by operatives of a taskforce allegedly crushed a motorcyclist and his passenger to death near the Akachi Road area of the state capital.

Witnesses said the taskforce operatives had earlier impounded a vehicle for purported traffic violations. One of the eyewitnesses, who identified himself simply as Donald, stated that some members of the team entered the seized vehicle and drove off at high speed, during which they reportedly ran into the motorcycle conveying the two victims.

The impact of the collision caused severe injuries, leading to the immediate death of both the rider and his passenger. The scene drew a large crowd of shocked residents, with the bodies of the victims still at the location at the time of filing this report.

Witnesses alleged that the taskforce operatives fled the scene shortly after the incident.

Residents expressed anger over the development and called on the Imo State Government to disband the taskforce, accusing its members of highhandedness in previous operations.

“This is painful. Government needs to look into the activities of this taskforce before things get out of hand,” a trader at the scene said.

The taskforce was said to have been involved in a clash with traders at Toronto Junction in Owerri about two weeks ago, an incident that reportedly resulted in fatalities.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Henry Okoye, had not issued a statement on the incident as of the time this report was filed. (Vanguard)