General News of Thursday, 26 April 2018

Source: 3news.com

Swift intervention by Airport police averts clash between taxi drivers & towing guards

Kotoka International Airport Kotoka International Airport

The Airport District Police Command has vowed to investigate and arrest floating commercial drivers who have planned to attack guards of 24 Hour Towing & Accident Recovery Services, which operates at the Kotoka International Airport.

This follows the arrest and detention of 17 taxi drivers by the towing guards.

One taxi driver is said to have picked a passenger in front of the Domestic Terminal of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

After his car was immediately clamped by the guards on Wednesday, he threatened to organize his colleagues to attack the company.

The District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Leonard Abaka, said they are ready to avert any clashes between the supposed floating drivers and the towing guards.

“There was a taxi driver who was arrested by the 24 Hour towing guards [on Wednesday] but we understand that he later stood in front of the company and made several calls and organized his colleagues who planned to attack the officers.

“So we are here to make sure that nobody disturbs the public peace.”

When 3news.com arrived at towing company, about five taxi cabs and seven private vehicles have been seized and parked in its yard.

There were broken down vehicles which are said to have been seized but the owners have refused to follow up for them.

Speaking on anonymity, officials of the company denied the clamping down of 17 vehicles as being alleged.

“Definitely we are going to follow up on this and invite the taxi driver to come and explain his action,” Chief Superintendent Abaka assured.

Officials of the company noted that almost all the taxis that operate within the Airport belong to a union, which they claim is good in crime prevention.

Commercial towed vehicles to the yard are charged GHS 250 while private ones are charged GHS150.