By Adebeso Precious (SIWES student D S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic)
In an effort to establish his innocence amidst accusations related to the disappearance of a woman, e-Hailing cab driver Kelechi Uzor voluntarily surrendered himself to the Okporo Police Station in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Uzor claimed that he dropped off his passenger, Elizabeth Edoukumor, at Harmony Estate in Eliozu, Port Harcourt, but she was reported missing shortly afterward.
On October 9, 2023, Uzor received a ride request from Elizabeth at Eastern By-Pass in Port Harcourt. He picked her up and drove her to Harmony Estate at Eliozu. Upon arriving at the estate, Elizabeth requested that he wait for her as she obtained entry permission.
After she received permission to enter the estate, Uzor drove into the estate, and Elizabeth offloaded her bags, paid in cash, and he left the area.
Uzor explained that security personnel checked him both when he entered and exited the estate. He had no knowledge of Elizabeth’s subsequent actions or whereabouts.
Later, Uzor received calls from individuals inquiring about Elizabeth, including her supposed uncle. They claimed he was the Bolt driver who transported her to a certain location, despite Uzor’s explanation that he had only dropped her off at the estate.
Due to the increasing threat calls and accusations, Uzor went to the police station to provide his side of the story and address the situation.
Meanwhile, a social media post from Elizabeth’s family indicated that she had called them around 6:31pm, saying she was leaving her aunt’s place in Harmony Estate and heading home. However, her phone became unavailable shortly thereafter.
Prince Wiro, a rights advocate, criticized the actions of Elizabeth’s parents, suggesting they should have reported the matter to the police rather than privately engaging the Bolt driver.
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, was expected to provide further information on the case, but no update was available as of the time of this report.
