There is tension in the Itam International market, Uyo, Akwa Ibom and environs following the alleged killing of a tricycle operator by a truck driver.
According to Daily Post, gory incident occured after a heated argument over the obstruction of an access road into the market.
An eyewitness identified as Akan Bassey who spoke to newsmen on Tuesday stated that that the unfortunate incident started after the driver who was driving a truck tried to negotiate a parking space.
He needed the space to offload the rice meant for the yuletide but he was obstructed by a stubborn tricycle operator and tables used by traders to display their wares.
The witness disclosed that the deceased refused to park properly so that the truck driver can also have an opportunity to also deliver his goods.
Infuriated, the truck driver brought out a matchet from his truck and cut off the head of the tricycle rider.
The excessive bleeding and exhaustion before the deceased was taken to the hospital led to his untimely death.
The witness said, “The truck driver was angry because of the refusal by the tricycle operator and business owners to clear their wares on the road for the truck to be properly parked for the rice to be off-loaded. When he alighted from the truck to try and clear the road, he met stiff resistance, he brought out his matchet and in the process, cut the head of the tricycle man off.”
It was learnt the outrage that followed led to the looting of the rice and torching of the truck by hoodlums, leaving dozens of other victims injured while the whereabouts of the driver remains unknown at the time of filling this report.
On his part, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi, who confirmed the incident disclosed that manhunt to arrest the suspect is currently ongoing and as soon as he is apprehended, he would be charged to court with immediate effect