Officials Dismissed After Viral Video Allegedly Showed Cash Fare Collection Outside Approved Electronic Payment System
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the dismissal of the driver and conductor of Bus 8 in the Abia Green Shuttle fleet over allegations of extorting passengers and diverting government revenue.
The decision follows the circulation of a viral video on social media in which the two officials were allegedly seen collecting cash fares directly from passengers instead of using the state’s approved electronic card payment system.
According to the allegations, the cash collected from passengers was diverted for personal use, contrary to the operational guidelines of the state’s mass transit programme.
Governor Otti announced their dismissal while responding to questions during the July edition of “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” the state’s monthly media interactive session held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia.
Speaking on concerns about overcrowding and accountability within the Abia Green Shuttle scheme, the governor disclosed that the state government has installed electronic surveillance cameras across the bus fleet to monitor the activities of drivers, conductors and passengers.
He said the surveillance system is designed to promote transparency, strengthen accountability and improve service delivery across the state’s public transportation network.
Governor Otti confirmed that both the driver and conductor involved in the alleged misconduct had been disengaged from service, stressing that his administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, fraud and abuse of public trust.
He assured residents that the electronic monitoring system would continue to enhance oversight and help prevent similar incidents as the government expands the Abia Green Shuttle programme.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a transparent, efficient and accountable public transport system that serves the interests of commuters across the state.
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