Prabumulih, KOTABARI.COM – A shocking incident unfolded on Friday, October 27, 2023, as a group of extortionists targeted a truck driver in Prabumulih, South Sumatra. The incident, which has since gone viral, has left the community in disbelief and the local authorities launching an investigation.
According to the victimized truck driver, he was pursued by a gang of extortionists while traveling along the Eastern Ring Road in Prabumulih. The perpetrators managed to catch up with the truck and forcibly entered the vehicle, presenting him with an unwarranted invoice.
In a terrifying turn of events, these extortionists affixed stickers to the truck and allegedly demanded payments every time the driver passed through the area. The victim captured this harrowing experience on video, claiming he intended to use the recording as evidence to account for the extortion money to his superiors.
The video provides a disturbing glimpse into the incident, showcasing a distinctive red-colored ‘LLMPK’ emblem, which was affixed by the extortionists in the vicinity of Tugu Nanas, Patih Galung Village, Prabumulih Barat District.
The truck driver, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his ordeal in the video, stating that he was relentlessly pursued by the gang, pressured to mark his vehicle, and obliged to pay a sum of Rp 175,000. He expressed bewilderment as to why he was coerced into marking his vehicle and questioned the necessity of doing so.
Furthermore, he questioned the need for joining the extortionists when he was driving an empty truck and was not carrying any cargo. “If they want people to join voluntarily for safety reasons, why resort to coercion? Instead of ensuring safety, they pursued us, forced us to affix a sticker, and issued invoices,” he lamented.
The truck driver admitted to recording only one of the extortionists, despite there being several individuals outside his truck. He also mentioned that he frequently traversed the Eastern Ring Road but had never encountered such a situation until this incident. “I request the fellow truck drivers to be vigilant. I pass through here often, but this is the first time I’ve been targeted in this manner,” he implored.
In response to this alarming incident, Prabumulih Police Chief, AKBP Witdiardi SIK MH, as conveyed through Kasat Reskrim Iptu Mas Suprayitno STrk MSi, assured that a thorough investigation will be initiated. “We will conduct an investigation, and if wrongdoing is established, appropriate action will be taken,” he stated briefly in a WhatsApp message. The community now eagerly awaits the results of the investigation, hoping for justice to prevail and to put an end to such extortion activities.