Commercial drivers in Port Harcourt on Thursday barricaded both sections of the East-West Road at Rumuosi Junction in protest over the alleged killing of one of their colleagues by suspected task force operatives.
The protest caused a major traffic gridlock, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for several hours as vehicles were unable to pass through the busy route.
According to the protesting drivers, the deceased, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was allegedly stopped by task force operatives at the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover. They claimed that despite presenting the required vehicle documents, he was assaulted before being allegedly run over by the operatives’ vehicle, resulting in his death.
The drivers said they blocked the highway to draw the attention of the Rivers State Government to what they described as persistent harassment, intimidation and extortion by members of the task force, whom they accused of demanding illegal payments from commercial drivers.
They called on the state government to immediately disband the task force, alleging that its members routinely extort drivers even after they have paid all government-approved taxes and levies.
As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Government and the task force had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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