By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Fresh outrage has trailed the activities of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) after passengers of an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus were stranded for hours on the Second Niger Bridge, Obosi, over what many described as “open extortion.”
The vehicle, travelling from Uyo to Delta State, broke down on Thursday after its fan belt snapped, forcing the driver to pull over as the engine overheated. But instead of assisting, ARTMA officials reportedly swooped in, removed the bus battery, and demanded ₦60,000 from the driver.
The AKTC driver Mr Mbuotidem Usanga told our correspondent that, “my vehicle breakdown on the road only for me to come down and fine away out immediately I saw this ARTMA officials saying why must I stop here. Before I can explain myself they took my car battery away, when I try to beg them they ask me to being ₦60,000.”
Eyewitnesses said one of the officials, identified as “Joy,” insisted the money must be paid “to the Anambra State government for doing nothing.”
The drama lasted until the head of the traffic team arrived. After listening to the driver, he ordered the release of the bus, confirming that no traffic law had been violated.
AKTC management, however, expressed anger, accusing Anambra authorities of consistently targeting their buses.
“This is harassment, pure and simple,” fumed Mr. Uduak, AKTC manager. “Sometimes our drivers are forced to part with ₦25,000, sometimes more. It happens almost every week, usually around the head bridge.
Our passengers are delayed, our operations disrupted. This is damaging to our business, and the Anambra State government must stop it.”
Sources who spoke to this newspaper warned that the trend could trigger retaliation from other states.
“If Anambra keeps treating Akwa Ibom and other transport companies this way, what happens when other states start targeting Anambra-owned vehicles? They won’t like it,” one source said.
Observers say the incident adds to growing criticism of ARTMA, often accused by drivers of operating more like a revenue racket than a traffic management agency.
For now, stranded passengers remain the victims caught in the crossfire of what they call “state-sponsored extortion.”