Emmanuel Obodoezie, a tricycle operator in Aba has been widely 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.
Njoku described Obodoezie as a God-fearing man who deserved recognition and encouragement. He further called on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to reward such exemplary behavior.
