Cross River: DELVAN National President Escapes Death As 100 Marian Agents Allegedly Invade Office Over Daily Tolls
By Ndifereke BASSEY
The National President of Delivery Vehicles Owners and Drivers Association of Nigeria (DELVAN), Comrade Raphael Sabbastine, escaped death as a team of Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) officials and some thugs allegedly invaded the liaison office of the association and brutalised Sabbastine in the process.
The attack is coming barely a week after competent courts in Cross River had issued orders restraining CTRA from arresting, imposing fines and impounding vehicles belonging to the association and ordered that the 19 impounded vehicles be released to DELVAN without delay.
DELVAN had approached the State and Federal High Courts, after all entreaties to get CTRA release their sized vehicles fell on deaf ears, asking for restraining order and both Courts granted the Association's prayers and ruled that DELVAN be allowed to enforce its fundamental human rights.
Rather than obey Court orders, CTRA on Monday, March 24, 2025 mobilised thugs and invaded DELVAN liaison office at No 2 Ikot Enebong Road, 8 Miles, Calabar Municipality and unleashed mayhem on the Association National President, Raphael Sabbastine, and some few staff who were around.
Eye witness said the team led by Mr Efa Nyong, CTRA chairman, stormed the office about 8:00am and beat up Raphael, demanding some sensitive documents be made available to them immediately.
The witness further said the team, numbering over 15, who claimed to be the enforcement team, and were at the office to enforce compliance with regard to unified drivers association tickets, immediately descended on Sabbastine and gave him a beating of his life even as neighbours were pleading on his behalf.
Fearing they they could be loss of life in the process, the witness said neighbours put a distress call to Zone 6 Police Command, who quickly dispatched a crack team to get the situation under control.
On siting police van, the CTRA team zoomed off living Sabbastine bruised, warning him to that he may not be lucky next time if does not pay Unified Drivers association dues/levies.
Sabbastine, who escaped by whiskers, is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
Speaking from his hideout, Sabbastine said: "I don't know what I have done to CTRA even as I have paid all my tolls and levies into government coffers. The CTRA has been fighting DELVAN and wanting to take over our association by fire and by force and we said no this is our legally registered body.
"For years, we and our members have never defaulted yet they have been harassing and extorting money from our members illegally. They have been threatening that DELVAN will not would not exist in Cross River State until we cooperate with their illegality.
"I, therefore call on the state government and relevant agencies to come to our aid before the situation gets out of hand because my life and that of my family as well as DELVAN members in the state are in danger and if anything happens to me let the world hold CTRA responsible.
" Let CTRA obey court orders and release our impounded vehicles and also desist form threat to our lives," he stated stated
On his part, the CTRA chairman, Efa Nyong, in a chat, said Sabbastine was not beaten but went and rapped a bandage on his head claiming he was injured.
Nyong further said he only went with his enforcement team to do ensure compliance.
But some neighbours at Ikot Ikot Enebong junction, who spoke off record, confirmed that Sabbastine was manhandled by CRTA team, calling on government to call its revenue agents to order.
Investigations by THE BEAGLES NEWS show that Sabbastine was actually beaten and he sustained some head injuries according to Police report made available to us.
Some stakeholders in the transport sector have blamed the complicity of the Ministry of transportation, for not exerting control and has been rather rather lukewarm on the activities of CTRA and its agents.
They argue that ministry of transportation, which is the supervising ministry, seems to be docile, thereby allowing CTRA have a field day in dealing with motorists without recourse to law establishing the Agency. To
They further argue that CTRA has become the King of the road, which every vehicle owner dreads and prays not to encounter while on the wheels,
recommending that CTRA management under Efa Nyong be dissolved forthwith.
Recall that DELVAN and CTRA, popularly known as 100 Marian, have been at loggerheads over revenue collection, leading to arrest and impounding of over 19 vehicles owned by members of the association since January 2, 2025, thereby keeping them out of business for three months running.
