Commuters Stranded As Drivers Protest Colleague’s Alleged Killing By Task Force Officials
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Itode Akari
PORT HARCOURT – Hundreds of commuters were stranded across parts of Port Harcourt on Thursday as commercial drivers withdrew their services and staged a protest over the alleged killing of one of their colleagues by suspected task force officials.
The protest, which paralysed vehicular movement along the Obiri/Ikwerre Flyover, caused severe traffic congestion towards the Rumuosi axis, while passengers at the busy Rumuokoro Park were left waiting for hours as commercial buses stayed off the roads in solidarity with the deceased driver.
The aggrieved drivers alleged that the victim was assaulted by task force officials during an attempt to impound his vehicle over a ticket-related dispute.
They claimed the driver was pushed out of his moving vehicle while the officials tried to seize it, an incident they said resulted in his death.
Angered by the development, scores of commercial bus operators parked their vehicles on sections of the Obiri/Ikwerre Flyover, bringing traffic to a standstill and demanding the immediate disbandment of the task force.
The protesters accused members of the task force of persistently harassing commercial drivers and employing excessive force in carrying out their operations.
They also called on the Rivers State Government to investigate the incident and ensure that all those responsible were brought to justice.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Choba/Eleme Chapel, Mr. Success Temitope, condemned the alleged killing and called for the task force to be reconstituted.
Temitope advocated the inclusion of members drawn from recognised transport unions, arguing that such a move would promote professionalism, accountability and a better understanding between transport operators and enforcement personnel.
According to him, involving legitimate transport union representatives in the task force would help curb excesses, reduce friction with drivers and improve the enforcement of transport regulations.
As of the time of filing this report, normal traffic was gradually returning to the affected routes, while the authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
