A tricycle operator in Aba, Abia State, Mr Emmanuel Obodoezie, has been hugely commended for his integrity after returning N2.04 million to a trader who forgot the money in his vehicle.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Ariaria International Market area. Obodoezie explained that he had picked up a female passenger along Power Line Road and dropped her off at the Free Zone area.
She paid a fare of N250 instead of N300, but he accepted it without complaint. Unaware that she had left a bag in his tricycle, he continued his journey.
According to him, due to the poor road conditions, his tricycle tilted from side to side, causing the bag to fall out. Bystanders alerted him, and upon stopping, someone picked up the bag and discovered it contained a large sum of money.
Obodoezie said the individual attempted to take some cash, but he intervened and prevented anyone from tampering with it. Instead, he kept the money safe and went in search of the owner.
Meanwhile, the owner of the money, Mrs Chika Aloysius-Iwu, was already retracing her steps in search of the tricycle operator.
She recounted that she had been on her way to the bank when she forgot the bag on the tricycle’s seat. Remembering the driver’s face but not his exact location, she returned to the spot where she had alighted, hoping to find him.
Upon seeing her, Obodoezie recognized her immediately and informed her that he had been looking for her as well. He then took her to the person he had entrusted the money to, ensuring its safe return. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Aloysius-Iwu expressed her appreciation, praying for divine blessings upon him and his family.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Ariaria T-Line, Mr. Emmanuel Njoku, popularly known as Ose, expressed amazement at such an act of honesty, especially in today’s economic climate. He described Obodoezie as a God-fearing man who deserved recognition and urged well-meaning Nigerians to encourage such good behaviours by recognising the man and rewarding him.
Eighteen-Eleven Media