Moment Police Officer Shoots Truck Tyre Over Bribe Dispute in Onitsha; DPO Replaces Tyre to End Roadblock

 

Tension erupted at the Onitsha Head Bridge in Anambra State after a police officer reportedly shot the tyre of a truck for allegedly refusing to offer a bribe. 

The incident, which quickly went viral, was first brought to public attention through a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user @ChuksEricE.

According to the eyewitness account, the confrontation began when the truck driver declined the officer's demand for an illegal payment. In what has been widely condemned as a reckless and abusive response, the officer is said to have fired at the vehicle’s tyre, rendering it immobile.

Truck Drivers Protest, Cause Gridlock

The incident provoked an immediate reaction from fellow truck drivers, who halted movement along the busy route in protest. Insisting that the damaged tyre be replaced before they would allow traffic to flow, the drivers created a massive gridlock that paralyzed vehicular movement for hours.

Their demand was eventually met when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the local station intervened. In a bid to de-escalate tensions and restore normalcy, the DPO reportedly purchased a replacement tyre for the affected truck.

Nigerians React with Anger and Frustration

As the story spread across social media, many Nigerians took to the comment section to express outrage at the officer's conduct and broader concerns about police corruption.

Here are some reactions from users on X:

• @Impregnabilis: “I hope the Policemen and everyone have learnt one or two lessons from this. Power belongs to the people—they only delegate it and can reclaim it anytime.”

• @baby_jennifer1: “Omo, see as I dey happy say them pay for the tyre. Very anyhow people.”

• @kingkhone4real: “Na where police dey misbehave una go always find. Una get big problem.”

• @CleverNation23: “This shows what we can achieve if influencers stop taking hush money behind the scenes.”

• @dejavu213: “It will be disastrous if the people lose respect for officers meant to keep order. This oppression must end before it leads to revolt. People are fed up!”

• @oluwaseun_ajede: “The irony is, even if the policeman replaced the tyre, it’s probably with money extorted from someone else. A deeply broken system.”

• @waley2: “The @PoliceNG should go undercover at the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge. The level of corruption there is alarming checkpoints every 20 meters, all manned by rogue officers.”

Calls for Accountability and Reform

This incident has reignited public calls for meaningful police reform in Nigeria, with citizens urging the authorities to hold erring officers accountable and curb the culture of extortion that persists on Nigerian roads.

While the prompt action of the DPO helped diffuse immediate tensions, many believe lasting solutions must go beyond damage control and involve systemic change, including better training, discipline, and oversight within the Nigeria Police Force.