A patrol vehicle belonging to the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) was set ablaze on Wednesday after an angry mob attacked the agency’s officials following a road accident at Kwanar Dawaki in Kano State.
The violence erupted after a trailer reportedly collided with a Sharon passenger vehicle, drawing KAROTA operatives to the scene to manage the situation and apprehend the trailer driver.
Confirming the incident, KAROTA Deputy Managing Director, Malam Auwal Lawan Shu’aibu Aranposu, said the agency’s personnel came under attack while carrying out their lawful duties.
“While our officers were carrying out their duty by attempting to arrest the trailer driver, some angry youths attacked them and set our patrol vehicle on fire,” Aranposu said.
He dismissed allegations circulating in some quarters that KAROTA officials caused the crash, insisting that the agency only responded after the accident had already occurred.
“The claim that KAROTA officials were responsible for the crash is untrue. Our personnel only arrived to carry out their lawful responsibility after the accident had occurred,” he stated.
The agency condemned the attack on its officers and the destruction of government property, describing the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable.
Aranposu urged residents to remain calm and allow the appropriate authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident instead of resorting to violence.
He also reaffirmed KAROTA’s commitment to ensuring road safety and enforcing traffic regulations across the state despite the attack.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to announce any arrests in connection with the arson and assault on the agency’s personnel.
