Truck drivers from the North to the South East staged a protest in Jos, Plateau State, decrying the killing of their members by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The National Union of Road Transport Workers (heavy trucks) led the demonstration, highlighting the dangers faced by drivers on specific routes like Enugu-Lopanta-Lopanta-Okigwue and Okigwue to Umuahia in Abia State. Mahmud Jafar, a prominent figure in the protest, expressed concerns about the continuous attacks, intimidation, and harassment targeting truck drivers from the North.
Mahmud Jafar emphasized the gravity of the situation, stressing that over 50 drivers had been lost, with many more missing and hundreds of trucks either burned, damaged, or forcefully taken by perpetrators. Cattle, perishable items, and grains are deliberately destroyed or stolen on a daily basis.
Challenges Faced by Northern Truck Drivers
Jafar recounted specific incidents where drivers were brutally killed between January and December 2024 in various communities, including Ehobey, Okigwe, Isoche, and Ehobey local government areas of Imo State. He described how four truck drivers were killed while transporting tomatoes to Port Harcourt, with their goods unloaded between Lobanta community in Imo State and Umuahia in Abia State. The perpetrators even sent videos of the empty trucks to the owners as proof of their actions.
The Northern Union of Road Transport Workers called for a boycott of transportation services to the South East if the security situation did not improve. They sought the government’s intervention to address the ongoing attacks and ensure the safety of drivers and their cargo.
Voices of Truck Owners and Families
Hassan Shitu, the NURTW chairman, Laranto Branch, echoed the sentiments of drivers and truck owners, highlighting the urgent need for government action. He emphasized the continuous threats and challenges faced by drivers operating in the Eastern part of the country. Shitu pleaded for intervention to protect the lives and livelihoods of transporters.
Truck owners, including Pankes Moses and Lawan Shuaibu, reinforced the call for a thorough investigation by the federal government to identify and prosecute the attackers. They shared stories of drivers being attacked, vehicles damaged, and illegal checkpoints extorting money from drivers. The escalating intimidation and violence posed a significant threat to national security.
Yusuf Adamu, a family member of a slain driver, emotionally recounted the tragic loss of his brother, who left behind a wife and 12 children. Despite efforts to retrieve his brother’s body and seek assistance from security agencies, there was no trace of him or his colleague. Adamu appealed to the government to take decisive action to prevent further loss of life and protect the unity of the nation.
The silence of the Imo State Police Command in response to the escalating violence against drivers and transporters raised concerns about the lack of official intervention and protection for those facing targeted attacks. Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the police command, failed to provide a response or update on the situation, leaving many questions unanswered.
As tensions rise between truck drivers from the North and the security challenges they face in the South East, the need for immediate action and resolution becomes increasingly urgent. The safety and security of drivers, their cargo, and the integrity of national transportation networks hang in the balance, demanding swift and effective measures to address the ongoing threats and violence.
