Tensions escalated as a group of aggrieved truck drivers took drastic measures to protest an alleged incident involving members of the state task force in Eleme Local Government Area of River State. The drivers, infuriated by what they described as unwarranted actions by the task force, blocked the road leading to the Coca-Cola junction, disrupting traffic flow.
According to eyewitness accounts, the conflict arose when some members of the state task force reportedly intercepted a moving truck and forcefully detained the driver. The drivers allege that the task force members assaulted the truck driver and seized his belongings, including money, spare tires, and a handset. The incident further escalated as the drivers took a stand, barricading the road to demand justice.
In a conversation with a spokesperson for the aggrieved truck drivers, it was revealed that the altercation centered around the demand for a waste basket for the vehicle. However, the drivers emphasized that the requested item, a waste basket, was not even available in Rivers State. Reports suggest that both the Board of Internal Revenue and the driver’s union had communicated that money should not be collected for the waste basket until it becomes accessible within the state. The drivers expressed bewilderment over the task force’s persistence in collecting fees for an unavailable item.
Mohammed Umar, the South-South and South-East chairman of the Nigeria National Union of Road Transport Workers’ heavy-duty trucks section, intervened in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Umar urged the drivers to unblock the road and allow the police to address the conflict. He explained that the incident had occurred in the presence of law enforcement officers, prompting the union to report the matter to the police.
“We are calling on the attention of the commissioner of police and the governor of the state to take over and arrest those people who are responsible for this occurrence,” pleaded Umar, highlighting the urgency for official intervention to restore order and address the alleged misconduct by the task force members.
As the road remained blocked and tensions persisted, the drivers await a resolution to the impasse. The incident sheds light on the challenges faced by drivers in their interactions with state authorities, sparking a debate over the role and actions of task force personnel in ensuring compliance with regulations. Authorities are urged to swiftly address the matter to prevent further escalation and restore normalcy to the affected area.
