Truck carrying timber refuses to stop at ECOMIG checkpoint, injuring soldiers on guard

A truck carrying logs has overran a military checkpoint at Bwiam causing injury to ECOMIG soldiers on guard, the police said on Friday. The Inspector General of Police Mamour Jobe said he has noted with deep concern that “some drivers are in the habit of defying security controls at checkpoints”.

The police said incidence of this nature are frequent in the country and could have serious security implications.

“In the recent past, such incidences are reported in a number of occasions and in suspicious circumstances that could lead to unwarranted security implications,” said the police.

“On Tuesday July 31st 2019 at around 04:40 hours, a truck carrying logs failed to stop at a military checkpoint at Bwiam manned by ECOMIG forces, striking the baffles of the safety device.

“Subsequently, three logs dropped off the vehicle, hitting and causing injuries to an officer of the ECOMIG Company on duties.

“In accordance with section 69 of the motor traffic act, a person driving a motor vehicle on a road who failed to stop or does not alter his route, on being required so to do by a member of the police force in uniform, commits an offense.

“In this regard, the Inspector General’s Office urges the general public especially drivers to comply with security procedures at checkpoints as failure to do so will result to the application of the full force of the law.

“The cooperation of the general public is highly solicited.”