Truck drivers protest alleged police harassment triggers gridlock on Lokoja/Abuja Highway
Traffic on Lokoja/Abuja highway was yesterday blocked for several hours when drivers of articulated vehicles protested alleged police harassment and maltreatment on the route. Eyewitnesses said the problem occurred for
Traffic on Lokoja/Abuja highway was yesterday blocked for several hours when drivers of articulated vehicles protested alleged police harassment and maltreatment on the route.
Eyewitnesses said the problem occurred for several hours on the Gegu-Abuja Road.
It was learnt that drivers of the heavy-duty trucks blocked both lanes of the highway in protest against the police harassment.
Eyewitnesses said the situation caused confusion among motorists and commuters, as vehicles were forced to remain stationary for hours.
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A driver, who pleaded for anonymity, alleged that the crisis began after some policemen stopped a truck belonging to a cement company (Mangal) on the route.
According to him, the police allegedly demanded N100 from the driver which the driver refused to pay.
The police allegedly blocked the truck from moving further, the action which infuriated drivers of other articulated vehicles who then occupied both sides of the highway.
The situation escalated when one of the truck’s tyres was shot and its windscreen shattered.
“They shot one of his tyres, broke the windscreen and threw a tear gas canister at the driver and his colleagues,” another road user said, adding: “The incident led to the obstruction of the road as several trucks and trailers halted movement in both directions, resulting in a massive traffic buildup along the busy route linking Kogi State to the Federal Capital Territory.”
Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, reportedly intervened in the matter, which later led to the resolution of the crisis.
