Tension in Plateau as tanker drivers protest alleged killing of colleague

Truck and tanker drivers on Saturday morning blocked the Maraban Jama’a section of the Jos-Abuja Road in Plateau State in protest against the alleged killing of one of their colleagues by police officers.  

The demonstration led to a major traffic gridlock as the aggrieved drivers used their vehicles to barricade both lanes of the highway, demanding justice for their slain colleague.

According to Haruna Ahmed, one of the protesting drivers who spoke with Daily Trust, the tragic incident occurred after the victim had allegedly paid the usual N500 fee reportedly demanded by police officers at a checkpoint.

Despite complying, an officer was said to have approached the driver and struck him on the head with a plank, leading to his instant death.

“This is injustice,” Ahmed said. “The incident happened at the last checkpoint in Maraban Jama’a. After collecting the money, an officer asked us to remove the barricade and continue our journey. But as soon as the deceased moved to clear the road, another officer appeared and hit him with a bamboo stick on the head. What crime did he commit to deserve this?”

Other truck drivers at the protest accused security agents in the area of constant extortion and harassment. They called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and ensure justice for their colleague while preventing further occurrences of such brutality.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the